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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. In "The Lottery, 1791," what is the name of the synagogue where the Rabbi does NOT want the baby to go?

2. Why is Little Igor sad on his birthday?

3. How many sadness's does Brod discover?

4. Why does Alex misuse words?

5. Where does Alex keep the money that he saves?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Brod think she is the float queen in the Trachimday parade? What is the real reason?

2. Sofiowka claims that the twin girls did not see anything. Do you believe him? Explain your position.

3. Describe how Yankel's feels when he finds out that he is going to be a father.

4. Describe the relationship between Alex and his father.

5. What clues tell the reader that Brod is having a vision of the future in "Recurrent Secrets, 1791-1943"?

6. Describe Brod and her relationship with the townspeople.

7. Describe the lottery drawn in "The Lottery, 1791." What do you think of the "lottery"? Explain your reasoning.

8. What types of things does Yankel write in order to remember who he is? Why does he write about these memories?

9. By the end of "The Very Rigid Search," Alex has yelled at Jonathan twice. Describe these incidents. What is significant about these outbursts?

10. Is Sofiowka a reliable character? How do you know? Give details from the story.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The novel Everything is Illuminated tells three stories. Each story is distinct, yet they all intersect. How are the stories connected? What themes or ideas are prominent in all three? What is the point of each story? Is there a good reason for telling all three stories instead of just one? Is it effective? Discuss why or why not.

Essay Topic 2

As a historical fiction, this novel is influenced by real events and ideas. Analyze how World War II or the Jewish culture have influenced this novel. For example, you may show how the violence of the war led to the violence in the family unit, or show how the Jewish culture has led to the use of themes like rebirth, suffering, sadness, justice, or forgiveness. Use examples from the novel to support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

Jonathan Safran Foer is both the writer of the novel and is a character in the novel, yet this is a work of fiction. He must include himself in the story for a reason. Research the author and show how his own life has influenced Everything is Illuminated. Make sure you find at least three different resources. Only one of your sources may be from the internet. Compare and contrast the real Jonathan with the fictitious Jonathan.

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