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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The old woman tells that when the Nazis came all the men were lined up and told to do what or their family would die?
(a) Choose who would get shot.
(b) Identify a Jewish person.
(c) Give them their valuables.
(d) Spit on the Torah.

2. How does Alex feel about Safran having sex with older women and women who are not his wife?
(a) He thinks it is strange.
(b) He thinks it makes Safran sound like an inferior person.
(c) He thinks it makes Safran sound like a superior person.
(d) He wants to be like Safran.

3. What do Jonathan, Alex, and Grandfather see when they finally reach Trachimbrod?
(a) Rubble.
(b) A ghost town.
(c) The foundations of where buildings used to be.
(d) Nothing.

4. What does Alex ask Jonathan in "Letter Dated 24 December 1997?"
(a) He asks that they no longer communicate.
(b) He asks that Jonathan stop sending money.
(c) He asks that they never criticize or praise each other's writing again.
(d) He asks that Jonathan send him more money.

5. What is different about Safran when he is born?
(a) Safran is born prematurely.
(b) Safran is born with teeth.
(c) Safran is born with hair.
(d) Safran is born with a limp arm.

Short Answer Questions

1. How many times do Joseph and Sarah L. get married?

2. Why does everyone read from the Book of Antecedents?

3. Who did Grandfather "murder?"

4. What does Grandfather say to the woman they meet in "Falling in Love" that is out of character?

5. What is the relationship between Alex and Jonathan in "Letter Dated 12 December 1992"?

Short Essay Questions

1. "Letter Dated 17 November 1997" revolves around the theme of forgiveness. Give at least one example of who needs to be granted forgiveness and the reason.

2. What does Jonathan tell Alex about his grandmother while waiting for Grandfather and the old woman? What do Jonathan and his grandmother have in common?

3. Safran does not consummate his relationship until his wedding night. What does this suggest about his relationships with other women?

4. Alex has changed throughout the novel. Identify how he has changed by the time he writes "Letter Dated 24 December 1997." What do you think brought about the change?

5. Does the old woman in "Falling in Love" know Jonathan's grandfather? What does she tell Jonathan?

6. Although the novel does not say it directly, based on what is written in the Book of Antecedents, what can we assume Brod asked the Kolker to do? Why would she ask this?

7. In "Letter Dated 12 December 1997," what does Alex think about Jonathan's writing about Safran? Is this hypocritical? What has Alex learned?

8. The old woman tells that she must live near Trachimbrod as "punishment" (189). According to her, what is she being punished for? What does this mean to you?

9. Alex asks Jonathan to finish writing the chapter "An Overture to Illumination." Why? Does Jonathan do it? How can you tell?

10. How does Safran's teeth effect his life? What might have been different if he had not been born with teeth?

(see the answer keys)

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