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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. What is the name of the woman Yakov married?

2. How long does the boy's mother wait before she reports her son as missing?

3. According to the boy's mother, what does Zhenia want to be when he grows up?

4. As the days passed, the Russian officials kept waiting for Yakov to start something. What are they waiting for?

5. Before the secret police member leaves Yakov's cell, what does he leave behind with Yakov?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain Bibikov's theory regarding Zhenia's murder.

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

3. When Yakov finally meets with his attorney, what is the bad news that the attorney tells to Yakov?

4. Why is Yakov's visitor miserable living in the shtetl?

5. When the prosecutor visits Yakov, what does he tell Yakov to have the Jews stop doing?

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

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

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

9. As Bibikov continues to question Yakov, Bibikov confesses that he is living in fear. Why?

10. Even though Yakov is desperately ill and is not allowed access to the prison hospital, Yakov is relieved. Why?

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 characteristics, roles, loyalties, and agendas of the following people in the story: Yakov, Nikolai, Marfa, Raisl, and the prosecutor.

Essay Topic 3

In the course of the novel, Yakov is involved with two very different women - Raisl and Zina.

a. Compare and contrast these two women. How are they alike? How are they different?

b. Describe the relationship that Yakov has with each of these women. How does Yakov benefit from each relationship? What struggles does Yakov go through as a result of each relationship?

c. Is Yakov better or worse off for having been with each of these women? Explain your reasoning.

(see the answer keys)

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