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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 street does Mr. Edman live on?

2. Who shows up and yells at Sara over her rejection of Max Goldstein?

3. What type of build does Mrs. Feinstein have?

4. Who is Mr. Martin?

5. Where does Sara move to after she graduates from college?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Sara treated differently than the man behind her when she is getting beef stew at the cafeteria?

2. Why does Sara choose to go to the freshman class dance at college?

3. Why does Mrs. Feinstein contact Sara at work and ask her to stop by her and Reb's place?

4. How does Sara feel about her surroundings when she first goes to college?

5. How did Max Goldstein come into the business of running a department store?

6. Why does Sara refuse Max Goldstein despite having feelings for him?

7. What does the letter from Fania to Sara say in Chapter 14?

8. What items does Shenah bring Sara when she vists her at her apartment in Chapter 11?

9. What do Sara's sisters think of Reb's problem with his new wife?

10. What does Sara refuse to do at her mother's funeral and why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The people of Hester Street are for the most part, lower class immigrated families. Throughout Bread Givers class is brought up by multiple characters. The members of the Smolinsky family are constantly trying to raise themselves above the poverty line. Write an essay detailing the efforts the members of the family make to rise above being lower class. How does Reb do his part for trying to become more than lower class? What types of people does he marry the family into? How does going to college help Sara rise above the line of poverty? Use examples from the book to support your writing.

Essay Topic 2

Characters in Bread Givers are often dedicated to one sole task or purpose throughout the story. Write an essay explaining why certain characters in Bread Givers are dedicated to one element or another. How are these characters made distinctive and unique because of their desires in life? In what way or ways is their steadfast dedication used against them in certain circumstances? How is it used to their advantage at times? Explain your rationale by providing examples from the novel.

Essay Topic 3

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.

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