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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Einstein decide not to accept the offered professorship in Jerusalem after leaving Germany?
(a) Younger, less famous scientist refugees need jobs there.
(b) His wife is not able to tolerate the climate.
(c) He thinks Hitler might invade Jerusalem.
(d) He doesn't like the University.

2. Einstein gives a gift to the Hebrew University in Jerusalem in Chapter Thirteen. What is the gift?
(a) His original manuscripts on the relativity theory.
(b) Everything in his estate.
(c) An enormous amount of money.
(d) The house he owns in Germany.

3. Toward the end of Chapter Thirteen, what happens to Elsa Einstein?
(a) She decides to divorce her husband.
(b) She becomes very depressed.
(c) She is robbed while walking to the store.
(d) She becomes very ill.

4. Mrs. Einstein is frightened and alarmed when she hears what report in Chapter Twelve?
(a) Their home in Germany is claimed by the government.
(b) That people think Einstein is Communist.
(c) Her children are still in Germany.
(d) Nazis offer money for Einstein to be assassinated.

5. Elsa Einstein notes in an interview that "To be the wife of this man..."
(a) "is absolutely wonderful."
(b) "is a huge nuisance."
(c) "is very difficult."
(d) "is very entertaining."

Short Answer Questions

1. What is ironic about Hitler's attitude toward Einstein in Chapter Twelve?

2. Who comes to live with Einstein early in Chapter Fourteen?

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

4. Einstein decides in Chapter Twelve that he sends a letter of resignation to the Academy at Berlin. What is the response?

5. The author states that several French physicists give Einstein a cold reception in Chapter Eight. What reason does the author give for this?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do some Berlin scientists imply that Einstein is a traitor to his country?

2. Describe and explain Einstein's answer to the reporter who asks about the political climate in Germany. Why is Einstein so careful in answering?

3. Why is Elsa Einstein unhappy in Jerusalem? Explain.

4. Explain why Einstein, a former pacifist, agrees to speak to President Roosevelt about the creation of an atomic bomb.

5. What reason does Einstein give for wishing to cooperate particularly with American scientists?

6. Why is Hitler's persecution of Einstein as a Jew ironic? Explain.

7. What does the reader learn about Einstein's tastes, based on his reaction to the quarters on the ship reserves for him?

8. The Holocaust is not underway when Einstein elects not to return to Germany. Why does he decide to stay away from his homeland?

9. Why is Einstein's international fame surprising?

10. Explain why the author calls Einstein a false prophet at the beginning of Chapter Eight.

(see the answer keys)

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