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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 does Schuster demand of the boys when he sees Friedrich?

2. Where is Friedrich?

3. Who are Schloime and Gitte?

4. How does Friedrich meet Helga?

5. What does the narrator find himself doing without thinking?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is ironic about the way Resch treats his garden polycarp in contrast to how he treats Friedrich?

2. How does Friedrich's family celebrate his Bar Mitzvah?

3. What is foreshadowed in the first part of this chapter?

4. Tell the story of Solomon.

5. What does this second eviction notice suggest?

6. How is Friedrich initiated into manhood in his synagogue?

7. What do you think Resch means when he says, "his luck that he died this way"?

8. What does the narrator do with the mob and why do you think he is capable of those acts when his best friend is Jewish?

9. What about this chapter shows a different side of Friedrich's life?

10. Describe the Jewish death ritual.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the chapter named "Grandfather," Grandfather inspects the hands before he will shake them and the bottoms of his shoes for proper polishing. He assumes the position at the head of the table and never fails to remind Father of his failure to take care of his family. Answer of the following questions in a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. How does the Grandfather attempt to control his son and his son's family? Give specific examples.

2. What do you think is the main reason for this attempt at control?

3. How do you think the grandfather's personality might be a metaphor for the "personality" of the Nazi regime?

Essay Topic 2

There are six major characters in this story. Choose one of the following questions in a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Compare and contrast Friedrich with the narrator.

2. Compare and contrast Herr Schneider with the narrator's father.

3. Compare and contrast Frau Schneider with the narrator's mother.

Essay Topic 3

In the chapter titled "The Swimming Pool," Friedrich returns to the pool, offering to tell the police about the thief, but is rebuffed. Answer the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. What happens to Friedrich while he is checking out from a day at the pool? What do you think is the reason for the attendant's vitriolic response to learning Friedrich is a Jew?

2. Why do you think Friedrich would be so careless about his claim check given the things that are going on around him and the fact that his id clearly shows he is Jewish?

3. Why do you think Friedrich returns to try to help the boy whose bike is stolen?

4. Would you have returned to try to help the police and boy recover the bike? If it were your bike, would you want useful information even if it were from someone you disliked?

(see the answer keys)

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