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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. Etty admonishes herself to let go of what things?

2. Etty admits that she is guilty of what?

3. Hillesum first meets Julius Spier, who is sometimes simply referred to as __________ in the diary.

4. Etty Hillesum's diary begins on what day?

5. This is the word used by the Germans to refer to the process by which large numbers of Jews were captured from their homes and off the streets and then put into ghettos or camps.

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Etty's opinion of marriage for herself? Why might she feel this way?

2. Describe the men for whom Etty has feelings.

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

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

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

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

7. How does Etty's faith continue to grow?

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

9. What does Etty say about evil?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Life and Westerbork is a transient one.

Part 1) Describe this life at Westerbork. Why is it such a transient one? How does this work in the German's favor?

Part 2) How does this lifestyle affect the Jews who live here? How is Etty, in particular, affected? How is her fate foreshadowed at this time?

Part 3) Describe your own life. Has it ever been transient? Why or why not? What type of transient people live in the U.S. today? Why do they live this way? Might this be by choice? Why or why not?

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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