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

2. When Yakov is taken back to prison, he is shown a book that some of the officials are developing. What is the book's topic?

3. How much money does Nikolai offer to Yakov if Yakov will fix up an apartment that Nikolai owns?

4. What does the crowd see when the people finally stop running?

5. Back in his cell after the indictment farce in court, what does Yakov compare his scenario to?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Yakov reads the propaganda circulating against the Jews, why does he grow uneasy?

2. Why does Yakov suspect that the prosecutor has included the tales of molestation in the indictment?

3. During an exercise recess, Yakov is told that the other prisoners do not like him. Why not?

4. Even though Yakov keeps track of the days, he's not completely sure he's right. Why not?

5. According to Yakov's attorney, why must the government find a way to prove Yakov's guilt?

6. Why is Yakov uneasy in the days before his next prison visitor is set to arrive?

7. Describe the scene from Yakov's childhood that gives him nightmares.

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

9. According to what Marfa has written, what should Yakov do in order for everything to be set right?

10. When Yakov is offered a pardon by the Tsar, why does Yakov refuse the pardon?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There is no doubt that Yakov has been greatly affected by the murder of his parents that occurred years earlier in the shtetl. Discuss how Yakov's past affects not only his worldview, but also his decision to leave the shtetl and his ability to cope with his incarceration. How does Yakov's past affect his mental state, his ability to reason, his ability to trust, and his ability to hope?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the warden with the deputy warden.

a. How are the two characters similar in terms of their professional lives? How are they different?

b. How are the two characters similar in their personality characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses? How are they different?

c. Only one of these characters survives the story. Is the deputy warden's death a result of his own doing or a result of dumb luck? Is the warden's survival a result of his own doing or a result of dumb luck? Support your reasoning for both.

d. Looking forward, how might Yakov's incarceration and subsequent trial have affected each of these men as they moved forward with their lives? Would they be similarly affected or not? Explain your answers and your reasoning.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast Yakov Bok and B.A. Bibikov.

a. How are the two characters similar? How are they different?

b. Compare the role that justice plays in each of their lives. How is each character affected by the concept of justice - both positively and negatively?

(see the answer keys)

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