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

2. 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) Identify a Jewish person.
(b) Choose who would get shot.
(c) Give them their valuables.
(d) Spit on the Torah.

3. Who does Safran go see after he finds the Gypsy girl in his home?
(a) Zosha.
(b) Lista.
(c) Father.
(d) The Rabbi.

4. How does Alex feel about the idea of cutting out the discussion of Jonathan's grandmother from the story?
(a) He agrees whole heartedly.
(b) He refuses.
(c) He rewrites the section.
(d) He reluctantly agrees.

5. What does Alex admit to Jonathan in the "Letter Dated 17 November 1997"?
(a) Alex admits that he cries all the time.
(b) Alex admits that he did not like Jonathan at first.
(c) Alex admits that he has stolen to get money for his trip to America.
(d) Alex admits that he has never been carnal with a woman.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. In "An Overture to Illumination," Jonathan, Alex, and Grandfather are returning from Trachimbrod. Why does Grandfather get mad at their waitress?

3. In "Letter Dated 26 January 1998," what did Alex tell Jonathan he did for the first time ever?

4. What is the result of Kolker's injuries?

5. What did the Nazi's first do when they came to Trachimbrod?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Is Jonathan a reliable narrator? Defend your response.

3. "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.

4. Why do women fall in love with Safran?

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

6. Safran muses "the more you love someone . . . the harder it is to tell them" (234). What is he referencing? Is this true? Why?

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

8. What is odd about Zosha's family home?

9. How does Alex feel about the truth in "Letter Dated 12 December 1997?"

10. 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?

(see the answer keys)

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