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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. After fixing up the apartment, Nikolai offers Yakov another job. Where is the job located?

2. After reading the indictment and the evidence against Yakov, what does the prosecutor also accuse Yakov of?

3. When the author describes the wind rushing through Yakov's cell, what does he liken the wind to?

4. According to what Proshko tells the secret police, what is Yakov responsible for?

5. According to the prosecutor's theory, why does Yakov kill Zhenia?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Yakov hate living in the Jewish neighborhood in Kiev?

2. As winter nears, Yakov hopes to be indicted. Why?

3. How does Yakov try to refute the priest's claims that Jews need blood?

4. According to Yakov's visitor in prison, why is he known as the "nameless Jew"?

5. Based on the indictment the warden delivers to Yakov, why does Yakov think he may be freed when he finally goes to trial?

6. According to the boatman who ferries Yakov across the river, how could all of Russia's problems be solved?

7. Why does the Deputy Warden's appearance frighten Yakov?

8. As the man in charge of the investigation questions Yakov, why does Yakov begin to feign ignorance and not answer the man's questions?

9. As Yakov is being prepared for his trial, why does a barber come and shave Yakov's head?

10. Looking back on his marriage to Raisl, why does Yakov now believe that it was a mistake to marry Raisl?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Yakov has a host of visitors to his prison cell. Identify three people that come to see Yakov in prison. Describe the character, the reason for the visit, the end result, and the emotional impact that the character's visit has on Yakov. For each of the visitors, determine if Yakov would have been better off not meeting with the character. Explain your reasoning.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the Nikolai character at the beginning of the book after Yakov saves his life. What is Nikolai's motivation? What drives him? Then, discuss this same character when he provides false testimony when questioned by the police about Yakov. What is Nikolai's motivation then? What is driving him? How do the events that happen between these two personalities change Nikolai's character from someone the reader likes - or perhaps feels sorry for - into a character the reader begins to hate? Who is Nikolai at the end of the story?

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast how the character of Yakov Bok changes as the story progresses. Be sure to include your assessment of Yakov's character when he is first introduced in the story, when Yakov leaves the shtetl, after Yakov receives his first indictment, and when the story ends. Use examples from the story to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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