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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. What does Etty do after Spier's death?
(a) She writes Spier a long letter.
(b) She prays for him.
(c) She tries to forget about him.
(d) She writes his family a long letter.

2. Etty writes (what matters most is) "to keep a small corner of ___________ unsullied, come what may."
(a) One's soul.
(b) One's room.
(c) One's mind.
(d) One's heart.

3. Does Etty accept her own feeling of bearing a burden?
(a) Yes, at first.
(b) Yes.
(c) Yes, somewhat.
(d) No.

4. Etty refuses to buckle under what?
(a) Under the weight of strong emotion.
(b) Under the pressure of doing what is right for others.
(c) Under the weight of many physical burdens.
(d) Under the stress of living under German occupation.

5. Given Etty's propensity toward the ascetic life, what might she think of all the mental exercises in which she participates?
(a) They might be a nuisance.
(b) They might be rather appealing.
(c) They might be a waste of time.
(d) They might be very difficult.

Short Answer Questions

1. Does Etty feel it is necessary to purge her personality of everything possible which does not support her new way of being in the world?

2. HIllesum refuses to blame who for allowing the atrocities against the Jews (and all of humanity) to continue?

3. Etty's motivations have become unambiguously ______________.

4. Etty reaches a place of being unwilling to put up what?

5. After Spier's death, Etty's level of empathy does what?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Etty feel about the atrocities taking place? How does this also lead to feelings of guilt?

2. What has happened to Etty's motivations? How does she support this?

3. Why does Hillesum decide she would rather not marry Spier?

4. How does Etty's life and beliefs change due to the war?

5. Does Etty realize the threat to her way of life? Does this affect her positive attitude? Explain.

6. What is known about Etty's faith at this time?

7. Does Etty believe that she should appear strong? Why or why not?

8. For what does Etty begin to prepare? How might she feel about this exercise?

9. What happens to Etty after Spier's death?

10. To what does Hillesum resign herself?

(see the answer keys)

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