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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 food item does Shenah bring Sara when she visits her at her apartment?

2. What street does Mr. Edman live on?

3. How do the salespeople treat Sara when she buys clothing from them after graduating college and becoming a teacher?

4. What was Max Goldstein's first job after coming to America?

5. What is the first piece of clothing Sara buys for herself after her move?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Sara see her graduation day from college as being bittersweet?

2. Why does Sara burn a shirt while ironing in Chapter 11?

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

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

5. Why does Reb treat Sara so harshly after he finds out about her refusal to marry Max Goldstein?

6. Why does Reb choose to marry Mrs. Feinstein?

7. Why do the girls at Sara's laundry job treat her cruelly?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Sara struggles for acceptance by those around her all throughout the story. Her family does not understand her ambitions and neither do some of her peers at work and school. Write an essay explaining the efforts Sara makes to gain acceptance from those around her. What are some of the things she tries to do to blend in with those around her? What events does she attend in an attempt to feel akin to those around her? Be sure the provide examples to support your writing.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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