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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 Herr Schneider pay to have done?

2. How old is Friedrich on this day in the synagogue?

3. What do the boys do while circling the town?

4. What name does Friedrich call Resch?

5. Where does the narrator's family sit in the shelter?

Short Essay Questions

1. How are these chants a perversion of Jewish historical events?

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

3. What does Friedrich speak about and what does he ask of the narrator's family? What do you think is the reason for his request?

4. Do you think Resch is more motivated by patriotism or greed when he turns in the Schneiders?

5. What happens when a Storm Trooper takes over the physical education of the German school boys during his spare time?

6. What does Friedrich's appearance suggest?

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

8. Who visits the Schneiders and what happens?

9. How is the name "Vulture" an apt one for Resch?

10. How does the ending of the chapter then bring the readers right back into the horror of "real" life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the chapter titled "The Festival," the rabbi reminds Friedrich, who is 13, that he alone is now responsible before God for his actions. Answer the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. What is a Bar Mitzvah?

2. Why do you think the Jews celebrate this ceremony? Is it still celebrated today?

3. Do you think a boy of 13 is ready to be solely responsible for his own actions and decisions? Why or why not?

4. The narrator is astonished by Friedrich's wisdom. Do you think this wisdom is gained partially through the fire of persecution?

Essay Topic 2

When Friedrich and the narrator are bathed together, the narrator's mother jokes about Friedrich being Jewish. Choose one of the following questions in a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. What does it mean to be Jewish? Is it a cultural, racial, or religious designation...or some combination of the three?

2. What contributions have the Jewish people made to humanity over the last 1000 years?

3. Compare and contrast the major beliefs of the Jewish faith with Christianity.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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