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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. Einstein gives a gift to the Hebrew University in Jerusalem in Chapter Thirteen. What is the gift?

2. One of the people who attends Einstein's lecture in Paris is _____.

3. In Chapter Fourteen, some of Einstein's colleagues ask him to set up a meeting with ________ to discuss their work on the atom bomb.

4. Why does Einstein decide not to accept the offered professorship in Jerusalem after leaving Germany?

5. Einstein always tries to help others. In what way does he try to help most in Chapter Thirteen?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain Einstein's view of the political climate in Germany at the beginning of Chapter Nine.

2. Why is Einstein no longer a pacifist in Chapter Fourteen?

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

4. Einstein asks an American diplomat why the U.S. does not try to end Japan's aggressions in China with a boycott. Explain the diplomat's response and Einstein's feelings about the response.

5. Why does Einstein finally decide to settle in America?

6. Einstein brings national attention to Germany, so it seems logical that Hitler celebrates Einstein's success. This is not the case. Why?

7. Why is Einstein's international fame surprising?

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

9. What does Einstein's behavior after Elsa's death in Chapter Thirteen tell the reader about him? Is he insensitive?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Max Planck and Einstein have an interesting professional relationship that changes and evolves over the years. Planck is an important figure in Einstein's life. Discuss the different stages of their relationship and the reasons it changes.

Essay Topic 2

Einstein builds on Newton's ideas. Pick one modern-day scientist who makes a career of building on Einstein's ideas, and discuss the ways in which Einstein's theories are updated from the 20th to the 21st century.

Essay Topic 3

Not all of the results of Einstein's work are negative in the way that the atomic bomb is negative. Discuss three modern-day uses either related to or directly stemming from Einstein's work and possible future applications. Be sure to illustrate the relationship between Einstein's theory and modern theory clearly.

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