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

Short Answer Questions

1. After Yakov's visitor runs screaming from his cell and material is confiscated from Yakov, what is he given in return?

2. According to Marfa's information, who does the current theory insist put Yakov up to the crime?

3. As the story ends, what does Yakov conclude?

4. What does Yakov see during his frequent hallucinations while in his cell?

5. When Yakov and his visitor in Chapter 8, Part 4 first see each other, what do they do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast the warden with the deputy warden.

a. How are the two characters similar in terms of their professional lives? How are they different?

b. How are the two characters similar in their personality characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses? How are they different?

c. Only one of these characters survives the story. Is the deputy warden's death a result of his own doing or a result of dumb luck? Is the warden's survival a result of his own doing or a result of dumb luck? Support your reasoning for both.

d. Looking forward, how might Yakov's incarceration and subsequent trial have affected each of these men as they moved forward with their lives? Would they be similarly affected or not? Explain your answers and your reasoning.

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast how the character of Yakov Bok changes as the story progresses. Be sure to include your assessment of Yakov's character when he is first introduced in the story, when Yakov leaves the shtetl, after Yakov receives his first indictment, and when the story ends. Use examples from the story to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Yakov has a host of visitors to his prison cell. Identify three people that come to see Yakov in prison. Describe the character, the reason for the visit, the end result, and the emotional impact that the character's visit has on Yakov. For each of the visitors, determine if Yakov would have been better off not meeting with the character. Explain your reasoning.

(see the answer keys)

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