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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. Why does Ginzburg consider herself lucky as far as her sentence?

2. What does Ginzburg say is at the base of the walls in her cell?

3. How does Ginzburg characterize the last group of women brought on board the ship?

4. With what are Ginzburg and Julia becoming disillusioned?

5. What has Julia been saving?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Ginzburg learn about her father and how does this seem to cause unwarranted punishment?

2. Why does Vasily Petukhov decide to help Ginzburg survive?

3. What is it like for Ginzburg in her cell at the prison?

4. What new rule is forced upon the prisoners and how do they react to the restriction?

5. What happens when Ginzburg is having a conversation with Zinaida Tulub?

6. What happens when the Prison Governor comes to visit Ginzburg?

7. What gives the prisoners a moment of happiness and how do they share their goods?

8. What solution do Julia and Ginzburg find to reading in low light?

9. How old is Ginzburg when she is writing this book and what does she find difficult to believe?

10. How does Ginzburg compare Kostik to Keyzin?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Journey Into the Whirlwind belongs to the memoir genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the memoir genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a memoir and a historical novel?

Essay Topic 2

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as Journey Into the Whirlwind help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading Journey Into the Whirlwind? Why or why not?

3. Choose one specific incident in Journey Into the Whirlwind to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 3

Oftentimes, a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think Journey Into the Whirlwind is? Explain your response.

(see the answer keys)

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