TTAlex

1. Put yourself in place of one of the boys who escaped the crash but was forced to watch "helplessly as Rob died". What is going through your head? How do you feel physically and mentally ?How do you think that you will feel tomorrow? If I was in place of one of the boys that escaped the crash and had to watch helplessly as Rob died then I would probably fell preety bad and that would be something I always remember. I would feel no different physically but mentally I would have a hard time concentrating on things like schoolwork. I would feel bad the next day. I would have been thinking what else could I have done or what would have happened if I wasnt drinking. 2. When you hear or read of a car accident that involved teenagers, what do you assume is the cause of the accident - drinking, speed - drugs? What about if you hear about a car accident involving the elderly? Explain your answers. When I read about an accident with teens I assume that drugs or alchohol were involved. I assume that because most of the time people crash they are under the influence of drugs or alchohol. If there is an accident with the elderly I would think that mabey they fell asleep or they might have had something wrong like a health problem. 3. Andy and Rob have their own slang and manner of speaking. On the surface they seem to be putting each other down, but it is clear to us that they are close friends who respect each other. What purpose does this style of language serve? Does it draw kids closer together? Does it set you off from others? Explain.

4. In a paragraph rich with sensory detail, write about your own most frightening moment.

5. Even though many people cried, Rhonda did not cry after the accident occured; she was angry. When or if a public tragedy occurs and it is not someone in your immediate family (9/11/01), how do you respond? Explain. If it is not someone in my family then it doesnt really matter to me I never cry at any funeral or after it. I have had 3 people in my family pass away and never cried about it. One of them was only a friend but he was like family and always helped us out. 6. One //Herald// editorial says that statistics don't usually "mean much, but this statistic (Rob) had a name, face,..."When we hear of a statistic such as this that reports someone dying in a drunk-driving accident every 18 minutes - how do you feel? Do you agree that it is hard to feel emotional about the numbers when you do not have a face to relate it to? Yes, it is hard to feel emotions about numbers when you don't have a face to relate it to. When you hear that someone dies from drunk driving every 18 minutes you think that those are the stupid people who always drink and drive. 7. In his homework assigment, Gerald writes that he would rid the world of 3 things. What 3 things would you rid the world of? Stick to concrete items, and back up your choices with personal reasons why you are eliminating them. If I could rid the world of three things it would be drugs,alchohol and cigaretes. I would get rid of drugs because they mess you up and they mess up your entire life. You can get hooked on drugs very easy so you should never take them. Drugs can also kill you if you take the wrong kind or to many. I would get rid of alcohol because you can become addicted to it to. It can make you be mean or depressed and usually when you drink you drink you dont remember what you did while you were drinking. I would get rid of cigaretes because they cause cancer and you can get hooked on those to. 8. Neither of Andy's parents bother to show up for the game. How important is it for you that your parents turn out for the events in which you participate? Explain. It is not important to me that my parents show up for anything I participate in. It really doesnt bother me that my parents dont show up for anything its not like the game wont start without them or if there not there. 9.Andy mentions that some kids at school haven't looked him in the face since the accident; one even taped a mean note to his locker. How would you treat Andy now? Elaborate. I would treat Andy the same way I have always treated him it was not his fault but he was the one drinking. I would do this because I am just not that way I would support him and help him get through his tough time. 10.Does doing homework help you to perform better on tests? Does homework seem purposeful to you, or is it basically a waste of time? What alternate do you suggest? Defend your answer with three (3) points.

11. Do you feel that your parents 'get' you or don't understand you at all? What makes you think this? Explain.

12.Andy believed that his friends would talk about him if he won academic awards. Then consider Marcus's unpopularity due to his achievement. Is academic failure or apathy built into teenager's notions about what is 'cool'? What effect does academic achievement have on you?

13. We learn about Andy's grades and study habits. Do you think the guidance counselor who advised him against going into pre-law was being realistic or unfair? Defend your answer.

14. In a class discussion, Keisha says, "All of us at one time or another feel like a cinder among the snowflakes. You stand out when you just want to blend in, you get noticed whether you want to or not". In a paragraph, write about when you have felt like a "cinder among the snowflakes". . 15. Andy envisions Monty will have a future as a doctor or lawyer. But when he thinks of his own future, he sees a blank, or darkness. Can you picture who you will be in 15 years? What do you envision about your future?