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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. Who was Etty's favorite author?

2. Etty discloses that what life is more important?

3. Etty experiences a problem with overeating, which she attributes to what greed?

4. Etty remarks that her lovers have all felt like what?

5. Approximately one month later, Etty Hillesum entreats herself to allow ___________ rather than the opposite.

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Etty begin this diary?

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

3. Describe the men for whom Etty has feelings.

4. When did the author first begin writing this diary? Describe her at this time.

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

6. What does Etty say about the topic of hatred?

7. How is Etty's eating disorder symbolic?

8. What is happening to the Jews by June of 1941?

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

10. What does Etty say about evil?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Etty works with women and children at Westerbork.

Part 1) Describe Etty's work with these women and children. How might she have received this role? How might she be a positive influence for them?

Part 2) How does Etty benefit from working with these women and children? How is this information important to this book?

Part 3) Could Etty have done more for these women and children? If so, how? If not, why not?

Essay Topic 2

Etty's motivations become increasingly altruistic.

Part 1) How do Etty's motivations become increasingly altruistic? Why do they grow more altruistic? What does this reveal about her?

Part 2) What external motivation does Etty receive for being altruistic? How does this compare to her internal motivation? Which are more important? Why?

Part 3) When have you acted altruistically? Why did you act this way? How did this affect you?

Essay Topic 3

Etty and her family are transported to Auschwitz.

Part 1) What leads to them being transported to this concentration camp? How is this foreshadowed earlier in the book? How did Etty feel when her family joined her in Westerbork and then in Auschwitz? Why did she feel this way?

Part 2) Why might they have all been sent to Auschwitz? Is there anything that could have been done to prevent this? How does this lead to the end of the story? How does this affect you as the reader?

Part 3) How does Etty's attitude throughout this book help Etty prepare for this tragedy? What can we learn from Etty and her attitude throughout this book?

(see the answer keys)

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