Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion

Multiple Choice and Long Answer questions create ideal opportunities for whole-book review, unit exam, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. Why is Boyle touched by the young man who responds, “God…I guess,” when asked why Boyle does what he does?

A) Because he wants the boys to make a good impression on Mike Wallace

B) Because he expects every gang member with whom he interacts to accept God

C) Because he believes God’s love transcends the ways of the world

D) Because he attributes Mike Wallace’s visit to the goodness of God

2. How does Boyle riding his bike help him to gain the trust of gang members?

A) It illustrates that Boyle is committed to being in the community with them.

B) It demonstrates that Boyle wants to know each of them by name.

C) It proves that Boyle is unafraid of entering gang territory.

D) It suggests that riding a bike is an acceptable form of transportation.  

3. How does Boyle think about shame and disgrace and their effects on gang members?

A) He believes that shame and disgrace are barriers to God’s favor.

B) He thinks it’s important to recognize that not everyone is filled with grace.

C) He hopes that people show as much compassion as he does for those who lack grace.

D) He recognizes that their feelings shame and disgrace are rooted in poverty.

4. How is Speedy’s story an example of redemption?

A) Speedy changes his life when he comes to work at Homeboy Industries.

B) When Speedy learns to slow down and enjoy life, he realizes that he can make a new story for himself.

C) When Speedy is told that he is a good boy, he gives up being a daredevil and goes on to live a good life.

D) Speedy’s life shows that anyone can find acceptance.

5. Why was Matteo so touched when the local newspaper came out with a story about his visit to Montana with Boyle?

A) It made him feel like somebody who mattered.

B) It made him realize that he wanted to convert to Catholicism.

C) It made him realize that Boyle would be with him no matter what.

D) It made him grateful for his life at Homeboy Industries.

6. How does Boyle see the “slow work of God” in his ministries?

A) He believes that gang violence will end one day.

B) He hopes that his future will include more opportunities to help others.

C) He trusts that those to whom he shows compassion will eventually change their lives.

D) He knows that all good things come to pass, even if it isn’t by his hand.

7. What does it mean that we’re all in each other’s “jurisdictions”?

A) It means that we all have a duty to report wrongdoing.

B) It means that we all have to look out for one another.

C) It means that we’re all close by one another in a small neighborhood.

D) It means that good things happen when a community is formed.

8. What does Pedro’s dream about a flashlight and light switch symbolize?

A) Light and darkness

B) Redemption and goodness

C) Darkness and reconciliation

D) Light and goodness

9. How does Natalie’s story inspire Boyle’s statement about grounding oneself in loveliness?

A) Boyle presents Natalie as being combative; however, he teaches her to change her ways.

B) Boyle presents Natalie as able to be accepted no matter what because she has talent.

C) Boyle presents Natalie as someone who didn’t want to work at Homeboy Industries but eventually came around.

D) Boyle presents Natalie as being combative; however, he helps her to see that belief in her value can give her resilience.

10. What is Fabian’s life journey after growing up in an abusive home?

A) He becomes selfless and shows the singularity of love.

B) He becomes religious and helps others find God.

C) He becomes brave and unites rival gangs.

D) He becomes powerful and helps other troubled youths.

11. What does Boyle mean when he writes that when “the voices at the margins get heard […] the circle of compassion widens”? (212)

A) He means that we need to do all we can to help end gang violence.

B) He means that groups such as Homeboy Industries are the best way to save gang members.

C) He means that listening to those society has taught us to ignore can help us to have kinship with one another.

D) He means that everyone’s life is better when we listen to other people.

12. Which of the following emotions is best exemplified by Boyle’s father’s request to have his wife’s pillow in the hospital?

A) Kinship

B) Hope

C) Faith

D) Delight

13. Why does Boyle try to impart the importance of moving forward to the homies?

A) He wants them to understand that finding peace and forgiveness is possible .

B) He wants them to know that the past doesn’t matter.

C) He wants them to know that they can take life one step at a time.

D) He wants them to understand their own doubts about themselves.

14. What frequently happens when Boyle travels to speaking engagements with homies?

A) Audience members confess their own past experiences to Boyle.

B) The homies polish their considerable expertise at public speaking.

C) Audience members are distressed by their encounters with the homies.

D) The homies learn to value their self-worth through the eyes of others.

15. How is Boyle’s interaction with the mortician symbolic of most of Boyle’s work with Homeboy Industries?

A) He often has to deal with the deaths of those with whom he has worked.

B) He often has to tell others that the homies are good people.

C) He often has to deal with having others invade his space.

D) He often has to remember to take time for himself.

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating text details to support your response.

1. What does true compassion mean to Boyle? How is it different from merely helping others?

2. How does Boyle stay strong despite the difficulties that come with working with current and former gang members?