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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. The violence the Nazis inflicted did all of the following except:

2. How did most Germans feel after Hitler is defeated in the war?

3. Who is amazed that Levi's writing is not filled with hatred?

4. What do Amery and Levi agree about cultivated people?

5. What does Levi consider all SS and all Germans in general to be?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was special about Mala Zimetbaum?

2. Why does Levi agree with Amery that believers had an easier time in the lager?

3. Describe the overall feeling of the majority of letters Levi receives.

4. What did the women at Birkenau use their bowls for?

5. Levi considers the violence perpetrated by the Nazis to have been useless except for one thing. What was it?

6. What happened to intellectuals who did manage to flee Germany "beforehand?"

7. Why do the stories of survivors become less important to passing generations?

8. Why were prisoners ordered to take their valuables with them on their journey to the lager?

9. Summarize Dr. T.H.'s letter to Levi.

10. What did the roll call drills reinforce in the prisoners?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of the main themes of the book is that those who did not experience the lagers cannot judge anyone for how they acted while they were there. Do you agree or disagree with this? Why? Give examples from the book and your own ideas to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Levi writes this book hoping to receive letters that help him answer the question of whether or not Germans can be understood. Do you think Levi gets his answer? Do you think Germans can be understood for their role in the Holocaust?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss some of the main issues regarding communication mentioned in the book. Make sure to touch on communication within the lager as well as the communication of survivors.

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