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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 "What We Saw When We Saw Trachimbrod or Falling in Love," who says "I don't want to hear any more?"

2. After leaving Lista and drinking vodka, what do Grandfather, Alex, and Jonathan argue about?

3. The old woman who knows about Trachimbrod also knew Jonathan's grandfather, Safran. What does she ask Alex to tell Jonathan?

4. Where is Safran going when leaving his apparent lover?

5. "The Dial, 1941-1804-1941" goes back and forth between two stories. Who are the two stories about?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Grandfather ask Alex for money and what does Alex say in return? Will Alex give him the money?

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

3. Why do women fall in love with Safran?

4. 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?

5. 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?

6. Why does Alex send back the money that Jonathan sent him? Why is he angry?

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

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

9. Why does Alex lie about his sex life?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

This book has many themes. Pick one of the themes and analyze its presence in the novel. Reference the novel to support your claims. Think about what truth it reveals or what the author's purpose may have been.

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the characters of Lista and Grandfather. Do not focus on external characteristics, as these will be obvious. Instead, think about what kind of people they are. How do they handle pain? How do they feel about forgiveness? What kinds of life choices do they make? How do they live or not live?

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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