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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 Jurgis do with the money the children bring home?

2. Besides his son, what does Jurgis enjoy in his life now?

3. What does Jurgis find out when he walks home from prison?

4. In the next election, how does the socialist vote do?

5. During what month of 1904 are people out of work?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the stroke of luck that Jurgis happens upon?

2. What does Jurgis learn about his family when he asks around?

3. What is the senator talking about as Jurgis overhears a political meeting?

4. What does Jurgis have complete faith in by the end of the story?

5. What does Jurgis learn about Marija's whereabouts?

6. Where does Jurgis next get a job at, that turns out to be a good position?

7. What caused little Antanas' death?

8. What happens when Jurgis goes back to the fertilizer mill?

9. Why was Jurgis released from prison later than he thought would be?

10. What does Ostrinski tell Jurgis should happen in Chicago?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The idea of not being able to speak English is one that hurts Jurgis and his family in the beginning of their time in the US. Describe three situations in which knowing English would have helped Jurgis and his family. What are some ways that the packing plant owners took advantage of the workers because of the language barrier? Do you think it was fair of the packers to take advantage of the workers? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

The idea of the union seems to be a good one for the workers, but does it ever help the workers? How? Why do you think the union fails in some of their efforts? Why do you think Jurgis ignores the call to strike? In today's world, unions seem to do more good, but do you think they are helpful to workers? Why or why not? In what ways can they harm the working environment?

Essay Topic 3

The character of Jurgis is the main character of the story, but what does he represent in a larger sense? What are some characteristics that make him easy for a reader to relate to? Why did he leave his homeland to come to the United States? Was this a good idea? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 611 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample