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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 the narrator tell his mother about his activities?

2. The narrator picks what up and uses it?

3. Why are Friedrich and his father having uncharacteristic arguments?

4. What does the narrator's family do when told to go inside their apartment?

5. What does the narrator bring Herr Schneider?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does this second eviction notice suggest?

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

3. What is rather ironic in this chapter and why?

4. Why do you think Friedrich would want to go see a movie that espouses hatred toward Jews?

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

6. Despite all that Friedrich has been through, what demonstrates his goodness?

7. What demonstrates the fact that the narrator's family has not completely turned its backs on the Schneiders as so many other non-Jewish Germans have?

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 happens in the last paragraphs of this chapter that suggests that the average non-Jewish German does know about the concentration camps and what is significant about the author including this idea?

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

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

In the chapter titled "The Cleaning Lady," Frau Penk apologetically responds that she had planned on coming to tell Frau Schneider that she can no longer work for her. Answer the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Why can Frau Penk no longer work for the Schneiders? Is this fair?

2. Do you think Frau Penk should ignore the law and do what she thinks is right? Why or why not?

3. Are there any alternatives to Frau Penk just quitting?

4. Frau Penk says her husband used to be a communist and therefore they have to be very careful. What do you think she means by this?

5. What would you do in Frau Penk's place?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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