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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Some members of the city council in Berlin oppose giving Einstein a gift. In exasperation, Einstein does what?

2. Besides the honor of the award in Chapter Ten, Einstein also receives what?

3. During Chapter Eight, Einstein tells his wife to pack as he intends to travel to which country?

4. Einstein grants one final interview to a young man in the safety of his cabin in Chapter Ten. Why does he grant this interview?

5. How does the new prestige of the award from Chapter Ten affect Einstein's behavior?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Elsa Einstein unhappy in Jerusalem? Explain.

2. Why is Einstein so enthused to meet Dr. Albert Michelson in California?

3. Why is Hitler's persecution of Einstein as a Jew ironic? Explain.

4. Describe Einstein's attempts to help those less fortunate refugees in Chapter Thirteen.

5. Explain Einstein's view of the political climate in Germany at the beginning of Chapter Nine.

6. Describe the boat incident in Chapter Thirteen, and explain what the reader learns about Einstein from this story.

7. Why is Einstein no longer a pacifist in Chapter Fourteen?

8. Why is Einstein happier at Princeton University than he is at previous appointments?

9. Elsa Einstein says that it is difficult to be married to Albert Einstein. Does this seem likely? Why is it difficult?

10. Describe and explain Einstein's answer to the reporter who asks about the political climate in Germany. Why is Einstein so careful in answering?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Einstein feel about his legacy as a scientist? Given all that comes from his work, is he pleased with his contribution to the world or dismayed by it? Use material from the book and knowledge of his character to support either assertion and discuss in detail Einstein's feelings about the modern applications of his theory.

Essay Topic 2

Given the effects of his work, is Einstein a hero or a villain? Support either assertion with examples of people with similar strengths or weaknesses.

Essay Topic 3

How does the reader reconcile Einstein's pacifism with his decision to become involved with the production of the atomic bomb? Aren't those two things mutually exclusive? Is Einstein a hypocrite, or is there a bigger picture to consider?

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