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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. How long is Yakov in solitary confinement before Bibikov comes to question him again?

2. According to Yakov, what does he believe the boy saw in Yakov's apartment?

3. With nothing to do in his cell, Yakov pieces together bits of something that he recites in his cell. What does he piece together?

4. What colors does Proshko say are the flames of the fire that Yakov is accused of setting?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. After being returned to his cell following the farce of an indictment, Yakov loses it. Describe his behavior.

2. When Yakov reaches the river, the boatman has to convince Yakov to accept the ferry ride. How does the boatman convince Yakov?

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

4. Why does Marfa accuse Yakov of running a smuggling trade route?

5. After Yakov is discovered digging at the concrete and becomes despondent, he finally realizes something that the officials want. What do the officials want?

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

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

8. As Yakov's hallucinations become regular, what does he have trouble figuring out?

9. As spring continues on, Yakov is no longer allowed to make his trips to the kitchen. Why?

10. According to Zhenia's mother, why does she delay in reporting her son as missing?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are many attempts by the government to cover up the existence of any evidence that does not support their attempts to frame Yakov for the murder of Zhenia. Describe two of the pieces of evidence that are either "forgotten" or explained away by the authorities that might have proven Yakov's innocence. Would full disclosure by the authorities have made a difference? To Yakov? To the Black Hundreds? To the Russian citizens? Why or why not? Support your answer with examples from the story.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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