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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 "Letter Dated 28 October 1997," what does Alex say that he catches his grandfather doing?

2. Which statement would most accurately describe Brod?

3. Which statement is an accurate description of Jonathan?

4. How many sadness's does Brod discover?

5. Who said "We must go backward in order to go forward" (37)?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How did the town get its official name?

3. Why did Yankel change his name? Why did he choose "Yankel"?

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

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

6. What is the relationship between Grandfather and Jonathan?

7. What ailment does Grandfather claim to have and why? How do you know he is lying?

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

9. Yankel lies to Brod. What does he lie about? Why does he lie? What do you think about his lies?

10. Describe the origin of Trachimday.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Everything is Illuminated explores the idea of writing. Look at the characters in the novel who write. What genres do they use? Why do people write? What does it accomplish? Is it worth it? What is the author's purpose?

Essay Topic 2

Brod is never alone in the novel. She always has a man in her life. When one dies, she has another man to replace the previous almost instantaneously. What does this suggest about her? Describe her relationships with the the three most important men in her life. Did she love any of them? How do you know?

Essay Topic 3

In the novel, Foer suggests that everything that ends begins again. Remember that the theme of rebirth does not necessarily have to do with physical rebirth. Their can also be spiritual, emotional, and symbolic rebirth. Discuss this theory and how Foer supports it. What does it mean? What does it teach?

(see the answer keys)

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