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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The author preferred the movie house over the synagogue, why did he favor the movie house?
(a) It was cool there during the summer, it was the only place that stayed cool.
(b) There was nothing there to remind him of Brownsville.
(c) They sold popcorn and other wonderful treats.
(d) He could escape his parents there.

2. What did the team receive if they won the competition between the "Army Navy" tests the civics teacher gave?
(a) A blue star.
(b) A gold star.
(c) A free pass to the bathroom.
(d) An automatic passing grade on a test.

3. How did the author feel about being confirmed?
(a) He was positive it was what he wanted to do.
(b) He did it for his mother and out of tradition.
(c) He did it for the gifts.
(d) He did it out of peer pressure.

4. What did the author's mother do to remember her parent's deaths?
(a) She sat around and told stories of her parents to her friends.
(b) She went to the cemetary where they were buried and laid flowers at their graves.
(c) She lit the mourning candle twice a year.
(d) She went dancing, her parents favorite thing to do together.

5. Did the author's mother believe her son's generation would succeed?
(a) She thought that if they didn't follow the traditions, they would fail.
(b) Yes.
(c) No.
(d) She felt that Socialism would lead everyone to succeed.

6. What nickname did the author's father give him?
(a) Heshie.
(b) Lazer.
(c) Yankel.
(d) Kaddish.

7. Where did the author think he lived as a child?
(a) The best place a child could grow up.
(b) The most lonely place in the world.
(c) The end of the world.
(d) The place most suited to his family.

8. What kind of dresses did Mrs. B wear?
(a) Ankle length flowery dresses.
(b) Billowing chiffon dresses.
(c) Plain, old fashioned dressses.
(d) Stiff Nun's habits.

9. What instrument did the author play as a child?
(a) The trumpet.
(b) The piano.
(c) The clarinet.
(d) The violin.

10. The author's childhood school is still standing in the neighborhood, how does the school feel to the author?
(a) Like a castle.
(b) Like home.
(c) Cold and damp.
(d) Like a hospital.

11. When did the author feel the only time his favorite food could be eaten in "good conscience"?
(a) On his way home from school.
(b) Saturday night.
(c) After he finished playing stickball.
(d) Friday night.

12. Where did the author run away from his father?
(a) The Abraham and Straus Store.
(b) Prospect Park.
(c) Grand Army Plaza.
(d) Atlantic Avenue.

13. When the narrative begins, how many years has it been since the author left to live in "the city?"
(a) Ten Years.
(b) Five Years.
(c) Thirteen Years.
(d) Three Years.

14. Where does the author step off the train when he first enters Brownsville?
(a) Rockaway Avenue.
(b) Main Street.
(c) Broadview Avenue.
(d) 35th Street.

15. How did the author secretly think of the synagogue?
(a) He felt more comfortable there than he did at school.
(b) As a mean place.
(c) He thought it was haunted.
(d) It was a happy place.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is seltzer to the poor Jews?

2. What did the women of Brownsville force their children to do?

3. What did the author spend his school days staring at in fear and anxiety?

4. How did the Jews greet the Sabbath?

5. Where was city land all around Brownsville? What were those pieces of land used for?

(see the answer keys)

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