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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The city of Berlin decides to give Einstein what for his 50th birthday?
(a) A new house on the river.
(b) A beautiful plaque in appreciation.
(c) A statue in the center of town.
(d) A park bearing his name.

2. Which of the following does the author NOT mention as current possible benefits of atomic power?
(a) Conquering diseases.
(b) Conquering deserts.
(c) Conquering other countries.
(d) Conquering poverty.

3. What sad event happens to the Einstein family during Chapter Thirteen?
(a) Maja dies.
(b) Ilse dies.
(c) Hermann dies.
(d) Elsa dies.

4. Einstein's peers feel he has what attitude toward his country during Chapter Nine?
(a) Hateful.
(b) Patriotic.
(c) Unpatriotic.
(d) Smug.

5. The author gives three reasons why some scientists disagree with Einstein's work. Which of the following does the author NOT mention?
(a) They really believe he is wrong.
(b) They are after his job.
(c) They say it is impossible to take relativity seriously.
(d) They are jealous.

6. What is Einstein's attitude toward the murder of Walter Rathenau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, at the opening of Chapter Nine?
(a) He is shocked and worried about the anti-Semitism rising in Germany.
(b) He believes the man should be more careful.
(c) He doesn't feel that it makes a difference in his life.
(d) He thinks Rathenau has it coming.

7. Why does Einstein agree to write to the President to discuss the atomic bomb?
(a) He hopes to be rewarded by the President.
(b) He knows the Nazis eventually build an atom bomb.
(c) He can't refuse to help his friends.
(d) He doesn't think it can be done anyway.

8. Some members of the city council in Berlin oppose giving Einstein a gift. In exasperation, Einstein does what?
(a) Refuses the gift.
(b) Moves to Munich.
(c) Makes a speech about the council.
(d) Tries to have the opposition fired.

9. How does Einstein finally decide to deal with the autograph requests in Chapter Eight?
(a) Has a stamp of his signature made and has his wife answer them.
(b) Stops answering them completely.
(c) Refuses to sign any more.
(d) Declares that the request must include money for charity.

10. Once the atomic bomb is built and tested, how does Einstein recommend the US proceed?
(a) Bomb one or two enemy nations.
(b) Use the bomb on any nation with which the US disagrees.
(c) Warn enemy nations of the bomb's potential.
(d) Never use the bomb.

11. In the opening of Chapter Ten, the author mentions that the ____________ is one of the greatest honors that comes to any scientist, writer, or humanitarian.
(a) International Leadership Award.
(b) National Medal of Science.
(c) Nobel Prize.
(d) MacArthur Genius Award.

12. With which detractors of his theories does Einstein grow particularly angry?
(a) Those who are academically jealous.
(b) Those who attack him on personal matters.
(c) Those who don't understand his theory.
(d) Those who set out to prove he is crazy.

13. Why is Einstein's assistant, Infeld, unable to answer a reporter's question on what Einstein thinks of the book they co-write?
(a) Infeld doesn't have time to answer the question.
(b) Infeld doesn't speak English.
(c) Einstein never opens the book.
(d) Einstein doesn't like it, and Infeld doesn't want to say that.

14. Besides the honor of the award in Chapter Ten, Einstein also receives what?
(a) Forty thousand dollars.
(b) International acclaim.
(c) Research grant.
(d) New professorship.

15. A major event takes place in Einstein's family in Chapter Ten. What is it?
(a) Margot gets married.
(b) Elsa becomes ill.
(c) Pauline dies.
(d) Hermann loses his job.

Short Answer Questions

1. At the close of Chapter Eleven, Einstein is asked about Hitler. What answer does he give?

2. After Einstein becomes famous, the visitors coming to the house want a variety of things. Which of the following is NOT one of their demands?

3. In Chapter Thirteen, Infeld says of the professor, "Once a work is finished his interest in it ____".

4. A young man approaches Einstein, wanting to discuss the possibility of his formula being used to create explosives. How does Einstein respond?

5. Though he has enemies in political circles, why os Einstein is happy during Chapter Nine?

(see the answer keys)

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