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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 does Bruno perceive all of the people to be wearing at the camp across the fence in Chapter Four: "What they Saw through the Window"?

2. Bruno’s sister Gretel is described as having a large collection of what toys in Chapter Three: "The Hopeless Case"?

3. When does Shmuel say his date of birth is in Chapter Ten: "The Dot that Became a Speck that Became a Blob that Became a Figure that Became a Boy"?

4. Bruno angers his father in Chapter Five: "Out of Bounds at All Times and No Exceptions" by suggesting that his father do what?

5. Gretel is how many years older than Bruno in the novel?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Gretel go about attempting to cheer up her brother in Chapter Three: "The Hopeless Case"?

2. How would you describe the character of Bruno based on the reading of Chapter One: "Bruno Makes a Discovery"?

3. How old is Gretel in Chapter Four: "What they Saw through the Window"? How does Bruno feel about his sister?

4. What is revealed on the plaque that Bruno reads in Chapter Nine: "Bruno Remembers that He Used to Enjoy Exploration"?

5. What does Bruno tell Maria about regarding the move in Chapter Six: "The Overpaid Maid"?

6. How is the setting beyond the fence described in Chapter Three: "The Hopeless Case"?

7. How does Bruno come to discover his family is moving in Chapter One: "Bruno Makes a Discovery"? How does Bruno respond?

8. What does Gretel ask about the people in the camp in Chapter Four: "What they Saw through the Window"?

9. How does Bruno study his class work while at Out-With in Chapter Nine: "Bruno Remembers that He Used to Enjoy Exploration"?

10. What is Gretel’s response to the mystery of the fence and what is beyond it in Chapter Four: "What they Saw through the Window"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the internal resistance to the Nazi regime during World War II. How many Germans opposed Adolf Hitler and the Third Reich? Of these, how many people defected? Why would Bruno’s grandmother have been a likely character to have opposed the Nazis?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze the character of Lieutenant Kotler in The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. How old is Kotler said to be? How is his appearance described? Why does Bruno dislike this character? Who in Bruno’s family shows admiration for Lieutenant Kotler? What happens to this character?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Bruno’s misinterpretation of certain words in the novel, such as “Out-With” in reference to Auschwitz, and “the Fury” in reference to “the Führer.” Why do you think the author chose to make these “misinterpretations” on Bruno’s part? Do you think the novel would be as effective if the correct terminology were used? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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