View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How much money in sales did Ida take in while Morris slept?

2. Who is the real thief?

3. How many rooms does the Bober flat have?

4. What is Frank Alpine's nationality?

5. What does Ida suspect?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Helen give Frank to prepare him for school? How does Frank react?

2. How does Ida feel about Frank? Is her opinion of him changing?

3. What terrible things are revealed about Frank in this chapter?

4. What is the difference between Nat Pearl and Louis Karp?

5. According to Morris, what does it mean to be Jewish?

6. What does Frank Alpine say about his luck and opportunities?

7. How is business at the store around Christmas? What explanation does Ida give for this?

8. How does Frank get a chance to talk to Helen? How does Helen react?

9. How does Helen feel about Frank now?

10. What traumatic event caused a change in Morris' habits?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay on the life choices made by character in THE ASSISTANT. Be sure to address:

1) Themes and examples of regret and missed opportunities.

2) Examples of good and bad life choices made by characters in the novel.

3) The message you feel Bernard Malamud is communicating to readers regarding life choices.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay describing your vision of the ideal lifestyle. Be sure to address:

1) What you feel are the most important aspects of a good lifestyle, and what to avoid.

2) How one can attain the ideal lifestyle, and how realistic this lifestyle is.

3) How THE ASSISTANT by Bernard Malamud has influenced your view of the ideal lifestyle.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay on the importance of education and the state of education in the industrialized world. Issues to consider:

1) Minimum levels of education.

2) Access to education, including cost and geography.

3) The importance of education for the average person.

4) Current trends in education and issues faced by graduates.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 874 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample