The Contender - Active Reading Chapters 5-8
We will be reading The Contender in class. These questions and activities are designed to keep
you focused on the reading and make sure you understand the characters and major events in the
novel. These questions will serve as your study guide before the quiz.
1. Why did the policemen stop Alfred in the park?
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2. How did Mr. Epstein show he did not trust Alfred on the Monday after the attempted
robbery?
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3. Describe the relationship between James and Alfred.
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4. Describe the boxing gym.
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5. What kind of a man was Bud?
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6. Why did Alfred go to Madison Square Garden?
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7. Why did Mr. Donatelli stop Willie's fight?
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8. Identify Spoon.
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9. What did Major want Alfred to do?
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10. Why did Alfred stand up to Major? What was the result?
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Predictions: Write down two predictions you have about what might happen in the rest of
the book at the end of reading chapter 8.
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Characterization: Pick one character from the novel. Write three words that describe
them. Find a quote that proves this word does indeed describe the character.
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