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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. What is the name of Morris Lipkin's collection of poems?

2. How does Reb feel when Sara runs away from home?

3. Who does Mashah's first true love get his money from?

4. What is the first thing Reb sells in his newly purchased store?

5. How does Shenah react when she realizes that her husband has been swindled by buying the store?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Reb so angry with Sara at the end of Chapter 8?

2. What excuse does Bessie use in her defense when her mother comes into the house and sees the changes she makes?

3. What does Sara's first apartment look like?

4. Why does Sara have trouble finding an apartment after running away from home?

5. Why does Reb not like the grocery business?

6. Why does Sara insist that she wants to work?

7. How does Reb react when he finds out how Morris Lipkin makes his living?

8. What does Reb find in the store after he, Sara, and Shenah have gotten the chance to go through the stock?

9. For what reason does the man in the paper sell Reb his store for only four hundred dollars?

10. Why does Bessie quietly agree to marry Zalmon despite the fact that she is repulsed by him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Smolinsky family immigrated to the United States from Russia. They arrived with very little because they came with the expectation that anything they would need would be easily obtainable. Write an essay explaining how the fictitious and fantastical America contrasts with reality. Which character or characters thought that in America, things would cost nothing? How is living in America much more difficult than anticipated for the Smolinsky family? What challenges has the family faced since immigrating? Be sure the provide examples to support your writing.

Essay Topic 2

A sort of bridging occurs between the "Old World" and the "New World" outlooks of characters in Bread Givers. Reb is "Old World" and therefore very traditional. Sara and Hugo Seelig are much more modern and "New World". Write an essay detailing the differences between the more traditional and more modern characters in Bread Givers. Why are these characters this way? What makes them more traditional or more modern? In which instances do these characters clash because of their differences in personality? Explain your rationale by providing examples from the novel.

Essay Topic 3

Max Goldstein is the first man that Sara ever loves. Whether the love is honest and true is something the book debates. Write an essay detailing the events of Sara's first love. How is meeting Max Goldstein a significant event for Sara? How does he change her? Is their relationship a healthy one? Is the love Sara experiences briefly with Max true or is it merely an infatuation? Use examples from the book to support your argument.

(see the answer keys)

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