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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. Why does the Nazi demand that Friedrich and the narrator leave?

2. Who is blocking Herr Rosenthal's shop?

3. When questioned as to his motives, what does the landlord reply?

4. With what does the the shop owner threaten Friedrich?

5. Who does housework for the Schneiders?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain the situation with Frau Penk and why she gives up her position with Mrs. Schneider.

2. Why do you think Friedrich says "Heil, Hitler" outside the department store?

3. Why do you think the narrator is so distracted?

4. What does the narrator say when Herr Schneider asks him about the Jungvolk and how does Herr Schneider respond to the narrator's reply?

5. What may be foreshadowing a future of terror and death for Jews?

6. Do you think Herr Schneider should have listened to the narrator's father about leaving Germany?

7. Describe the grandfather's visit to the narrator's household.

8. How does the teacher demonstrate his sympathy for the Jews and for Friedrich in particular?

9. What is the landlord's reason for telling the Schneiders they have to vacate and does the reason seem fair?

10. What are the indications that the narrator's family is not as well to do as Friedich's family?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the chapter "School Days," it is traditional in Germany for families to celebrate the first day of school. Later in the chapter, "The Teacher," we learn that Friedrich has been barred from attending school. Answer the following questions in a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. How important do you think education is to the German people at that time if they actually celebrated the first day of school? Do you think education still is important in Germany?

2. How do you think Friedrich felt when told he could no longer go to the public school? Is there any indication of his reaction? How would you feel under the same circumstances?

3. Research a little on the Jewish culture's attitude towards education. Would their ideas about learning cause the school children to feel better or worse about being excluded from the schools in pre-WWII Germany?

Essay Topic 2

In the chapter, "The Way to School," we see not the first evidence of the growing violence towards Jews, but the most overt one in the book so far. Choose one of the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Hitler calls for a one-day boycott of Jewish businesses on Saturday, April 1, 1933; this chapter is probably based upon that proclamation. Learn what you can about this boycott and write an essay telling about how widespread it was, the consequences of it, and if it was considered successful.

2. Friedrich and the narrator are only about eight years old and do not understand the hatred and fears of adults. They greet Mr. Rosenthal, a shop owner whose shop is being blocked by a man with a swastika armband. What can we learn from children about accepting differences? What if very young children of the Arab and Western and Israeli worlds got together (before they are too strongly influenced by adults)? What do you think would happen? Would they share their toys? Would they be hateful because someone is of a different race or religion, etc.? Write a speculative essay about what children can teach adults about accepting others.

3. How effective in general are boycotts? Research the history of boycotts and choose several to study and compare and contrast.

Essay Topic 3

In the chapter "Friday Evening," the narrator shares the Sabbath dinner with Friedrich's family. Choose one of the following questions in a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. The Friday evening Sabbath service is a rite or ceremony within the Jewish faith. Many other religions have rites and ceremonies also. Identify several rites/ceremonies either religious or secular and explain the reason for each.

2. What is the purpose of rites or ceremonies? Are they necessary for human culture? For individuals?

3. Some say that part of the reason the modern culture is declining is a lack of tradition, which would include rites and ceremonies. Take a stand either to affirm or refute this idea using specific examples.

(see the answer keys)

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