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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. What clothing item does Sara buy to dress herself up with so that she can be like other girls her age?

2. Who are the first people Sara visits after graduating from college?

3. What does Sara think of her college campus?

4. How do the girls at Sara's work treat her after she wears make up to work for the first time?

5. Max Goldstein likes to talk about what to Sara?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Sara choose to move closer to Mr. Edman during her college years?

2. Why does Reb treat Sara so harshly after he finds out about her refusal to marry Max Goldstein?

3. Describe who Mr. Edman is and what he does for a living.

4. Why does Sara choose to go to the freshman class dance at college?

5. What does Max Goldstein look like?

6. Why does Reb choose to marry Mrs. Feinstein?

7. What does the letter from Fania to Sara say in Chapter 14?

8. What items does Shenah bring Sara when she vists her at her apartment in Chapter 11?

9. Why does Sara not fit in with the rest of the girls on her first day of college gym class?

10. Why does Sara refuse Max Goldstein despite having feelings for him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Money is something many characters concern themselves with in Bread Givers. While some characters are rich, others are very poor. Reb tries his best to marry his daughters to men who make money. Sara works hard to support herself through night school and college with what little money she has. Write an essay detailing why money is so important in Bread Givers. What does money symbolize? Which characters have money and which do not? Does money buy happiness? Why or why not? Explain your rationale by providing examples from the novel.

Essay Topic 2

The Smolinsky family immigrated to the United States from Russia. They arrived with very little because they came with the expectation that anything they would need would be easily obtainable. Write an essay explaining how the fictitious and fantastical America contrasts with reality. Which character or characters thought that in America, things would cost nothing? How is living in America much more difficult than anticipated for the Smolinsky family? What challenges has the family faced since immigrating? Be sure the provide examples to support your writing.

Essay Topic 3

Bread Givers concludes with Sara deciding whether or not to take Reb into her home. She is conflicted because of his behavior and the past conflicts they have shared. Write an essay exploring the reasons Sara has for being hesitant to take her father in. Why is she always the sibling who takes responsibility for Reb? Why can she never escape him? How was Reb's personality and outlook on life shaped by the men who came before him? Explain your rationale by providing examples from the novel.

(see the answer keys)

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