View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. How long does it take Einstein to become a US citizen?

2. Hitler turns on the Jews first because he is not yet ready for war. He intends to wage war on all BUT WHICH of the following countries?

3. Of the following, who is NOT present at Einstein's welcome to America in Chapter Eleven?

4. Toward the end of Chapter Thirteen, what happens to Elsa Einstein?

5. Einstein always tries to help others. In what way does he try to help most in Chapter Thirteen?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why are the Einsteins happier in California than on other trips? What is different?

3. Explain why Einstein, a former pacifist, agrees to speak to President Roosevelt about the creation of an atomic bomb.

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

5. What plan does Einstein think up to slow the flood of autograph requests?

6. Einstein asks an American diplomat why the U.S. does not try to end Japan's aggressions in China with a boycott. Explain the diplomat's response and Einstein's feelings about the response.

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

8. Why does Einstein finally decide to settle in America?

9. What does the reader learn about Einstein's tastes, based on his reaction to the quarters on the ship reserves for him?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Pick an Einstein quote that sums up his character and discuss in detail why that particular quote says all that needs to be said about him. The selected quote should speak to at least three different aspects of his character.

Essay Topic 2

Albert Einstein is a pacifist. Using supporting material from the book, explain his world view and how it evolves over the course of his life. What are the factors that initially influence him to become a pacifist, and why does he eventually abandon the notion? How does his pacifism affect his scientific career?

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast Mileva Maritsch and Elsa Einstein. What are the strengths and weaknesses of each woman? In what ways do each influence Einstein's life?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 942 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample