Question

date
long way down
floor 7
main character with descriptions

plot summary

themes addressed

1. what is the central conflict introduced on the 7th floor?

a) will’s fear of elevators
b) will’s desire to avenge his brother
c) will’s friendship with buck
d) will’s anger at his mother

1. buck’s appearance in the elevator most strongly represents:

a) the cycle of violence
b) the reality of death
c) will’s confusion
d) a typical neighborhood encounter

1. which theme is most evident in will’s conversation with buck?

a) importance of honesty
b) significance of education
c) value of family traditions
d) consequences of revenge

1. how does buck’s reaction to will’s gun contribute to the development of conflict?

a) it resolves will’s doubts
b) it increases will’s uncertainty
c) it assures will of his decision
d) it has no effect on will

1. what inference can be drawn about buck’s influence on will?

a) buck questions will’s motives
b) buck encourages will’s plan
c) buck ignores will’s pain
d) buck tells will to forget about shawn

1. why does will feel compelled to carry out “the rules”?

a) he is forced by buck
b) he believes it’s tradition
c) he wants to become famous
d) he is pressured by his mother

1. buck’s attitude toward “the rules” can best be described as:

a) indifferent
b) supportive
c) questioning
d) hostile

1. what does buck symbolize in will’s journey?

a) lost friendships
b) the past’s grip on the present
c) hope for the future
d) academic achievement

Explanation:

Question 1

In "Long Way Down", Will's brother Shawn is killed, and Will takes a gun to avenge him. On the 7th floor, the central conflict relates to his desire for revenge. Option A is incorrect as fear of elevators isn't central. Option C is about friendship, not conflict. Option D is about anger at mother, which isn't the main conflict here. So B is correct.

Buck's appearance (a ghost from the past involved in violence) represents the cycle of violence, as he's part of the chain of retribution and violence that Will is now entering. Option B is about death's reality, but Buck's appearance is more about the cycle. Option C is confusion, but the symbol is about violence. Option D is a typical encounter, which it's not. So A is correct.

In the conversation with Buck, themes around revenge's consequences are evident. Buck's presence and their talk about "The Rules" and revenge show how revenge has led to a cycle and its impacts. Option A (honesty) isn't the theme. Option B (education) is irrelevant. Option C (family traditions) is about "The Rules" but the conversation's theme is more about revenge's consequences. So D is correct.

Answer:

B. Will’s desire to avenge his brother

Question 2