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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 engages herself in a discussion of the ________ as the predominant force in an individual's life.

2. Etty was a twenty-seven-year-old single woman living where, making her way in the city?

3. Does Etty have a strong relationship with her mother?

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

5. She begins each day full of resolve to become a better, more skilled _____________.

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Etty's eating disorder symbolic?

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

3. What problem does Etty experience? Why? How does this lead to a discussion of Etty's family?

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

5. Describe the men for whom Etty has feelings.

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Etty's relationship with Julius Spier deepens.

Part 1) Who is Julius Spier? Describe him and his relationship with Etty. How does their relationship change over time? Why does it change?

Part 2) What can be learned about Etty through this relationship? How does this relationship compare to her relationship with Han?

Part 3) What ends their relationship? How does she come to realize their relationship would turn out as she thought? How does the war affect her relationship? Could this relationship have succeeded? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

The German occupation becomes more of a presence.

Part 1) Describe the German occupation. How does it slowly begin to affect Etty's life? Does she change at all because of this control over her life? Why or why not?

Part 2) How does this presence of German hatred influence Etty? How does this effect compare to the effects on others? Why? What does this reveal about Etty?

Part 3) How has the German occupation and take-over of much of Europe affected our world today? What can we learn from this?

(see the answer keys)

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