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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. Spier's specialty is commonly known as what?

2. Who encouraged Julius Spier to go into a practice and take on clients?

3. More than once, Etty Hillesum admits doing what?

4. By September of 1941, it becomes clear from her diary entries that Etty Hillesum has begun to change _________________.

5. Hillesum lives in a house owned by a widower named _________________.

Short Essay Questions

1. By April 2, 1942, how does Etty feel about Spier?

2. Why did Etty begin this diary?

3. What does Etty say about evil?

4. Over what does Etty want to gain control? What does she resolve to do every day?

5. What does Etty reveal about Spier? How does Etty, at this point, feel about Spier?

6. How does Etty begin to change significantly and radically?

7. How does Etty feel about men? How does she explain this?

8. What does Etty do to become closer to God?

9. What becomes more of a presence? How does this affect Etty?

10. How does Etty's feelings towards her family begin to change?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Etty learns a great deal from the Jews she meets in Westerbork.

Part 1) Describe the Jews at Westerbork. How are they treated? Why are they treated in this way? What is Etty's role at this time? Is she effective in this role? Why or why not?

Part 2) What does Etty learn from these Jews? How is she affected by this information? Why is she affected in this way? How does this information affect you as the reader?

Part 3) Overall, how are you, as the reader, affected by Etty's story? Why? How might this story affect your actions in the future? Why?

Essay Topic 2

Etty does not return hate for hate.

Part 1) Give an example from the book that illustrates this. How does this belief regarding others compare to the beliefs of other Jews? Explain.

Part 2) Why does Etty decide to not hate or act hateful? Does she benefit from this? Why or why not? How does this decision to love all life and have a positive attitude affect you as a reader?

Part 3) Who in our own history has acted peacefully in the face of hatred and fear? Why? How has this person affected and influenced our culture today?

Essay Topic 3

Etty is drawn to self-denial and meditation.

Part 1) Describe these desires. How are these seen at the beginning of the book? How do they change? Why do they change?

Part 2) How does self-denial play a role in her actions? How did this self-denial affect others? Is this self-denial a positive thing? Why or why not?

Part 3) When have you denied yourself something? Why did you do this? How did this affect you? Have you ever meditated or spent time being contemplative? If so, how were you affected?

(see the answer keys)

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