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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 has replaced an entire block of drugstores and candy shops in the neighborhood?

2. Why did the author play the violin for the barber?

3. What countries had the Solovey's lived in?

4. Was the author good at handball?

5. What was the author afraid of?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was the reaction of the person who read the author's final high school paper?

2. The author liked to go to the courtyard to hear music, why was there always music in the courtyard?

3. The author and his mother take a day trip to a local attraction. Where did they go and what did they experience?

4. Where did the author's walks take him when he walked to the edge of Brownsville?

5. What led the author to fantasize about Mrs. Solovey every night before bed?

6. The author gave Mrs. Solovey an alternative name -- what was the name and why did he give it to her?

7. When Mrs. Solovey makes a visit to the author's home, she engages the author in conversation but soon becomes frustrated. Why does she become frustrated?

8. The Soloveys were a couple no one could figure out. What about their marriage, specifically, was so mysterious?

9. On the day of his confirmation at thirteen, the author discovers something in his study of the Bible. What did he discover?

10. What did the second hand furniture shops remind the author of?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

During the summer of his 16th year, the author joins a group with Socialist ties. What does the author feel his connection to the Socialist group is? His parents were of the Socialist influence, was that his draw to the party or did he truly believe the party would make what was wrong in his world right?

Essay Topic 2

The author felt the most joy in a place where he felt the most uncomfortable. Explore the idea of the author's constant struggle with feeling like an outsider or an alien.

Essay Topic 3

In specific detail from the book, list important objects from the author's childhood kitchen and their role in his daily life and the energy of the home.

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This section contains 955 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample