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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. The women of the family are not allowed to put their items where?

2. What insult does Mother call Sara when she sees what has been done to the potatoes?

3. How does Morris react when Sara says that she loves him?

4. What happens when Sara cleans the window in her her dingy apartment and sticks her head outside?

5. Why does Berel Bernstein not want Bessie's dowry?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Bessie's personality change after she marries Zalmon the fish peddler?

2. Why does Sara think herself in love with Morris Lipkin after he and Fania are no longer together?

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

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

5. Why does Father get arrested and sent to court?

6. How does Mashah's behavior change when she falls in love with her young man?

7. Why does Berel Bernstein decide to not marry Bessie?

8. Why is Mother fretting over money at the beginning of the story?

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

10. How does Sara see Moe treating Mashah when she visits them after running away from home?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

All of the members of the Smolinsky family are close because of their living conditions early on in the story. Family ties exist throughout the novel and are made example of in certain situations. Write an essay exploring the idea of family ties. How are they important in Bread Givers? Which characters attempt to break their ties with the family? How do they try and break them? Why? Explain your rationale by providing examples from the novel.

Essay Topic 2

Hugo Seelig is different from many of the men Sara meets in Bread Givers. He is intelligent, understanding, and kind. He also values Sara's education and profession when others do not. Write an essay explaining the things that make Hugo Seelig so special. Why is Sara so drawn to him when she meets him? How does he help her out? How is he different from other males in the story? In what way does being a principal strengthen his character and give him values other characters lack? Explain your rationale by providing examples from the novel.

Essay Topic 3

The Torah is mentioned by Reb many times in Bread Givers. He uses it not only as a gateway for information, but as a source from which to preach. Write an essay explaining why the Torah is important to the story. What does it symbolize? In which situations does Reb use the Torah to try and educate his children? How is the Torah used to support the idea of religious fanaticism? Use examples from the book to support your writing.

(see the answer keys)

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