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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 happens in 1968, which is the opening to Book I?

2. What does Athos do at the first sign of danger?

3. What does Jakob sense one day?

4. Where does Jakob learn to live a normal life as Athos prepares for their move to Canada?

5. What does Athos say a good deed does?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do Athos and Jakob go to Athens and in what condition is Greece?

2. What often causes Athos to become depressed or angry?

3. What does Jakob sense from his hiding place as his family is killed?

4. How does Bella continue to impact Jakob's life?

5. How does Jakob contrast history and memory?

6. What is Biskupin and what happens to it?

7. How does the relationship between Alex and Jakob evolve?

8. Why does Athos choose Toronto as the place to relocate?

9. What did Jakob Beer witness as he hid in the bog?

10. What does Jakob do after he witnesses the invasion of his home?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Fugitive Pieces" belongs to the historical novel genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the historical novel genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a historical novel and a historical novel mystery?

Essay Topic 2

Jakob emphasizes that he does not see the horrors that visit European Jewry during World War II while he is living in Greece. He endures hardships on Zakynthos and lives in constant fear of the door being bashed in, as had happened in his home in Poland. All of Zakynthos's Jews are saved from the Nazis through the courage of the Christian mayor and archbishop. By comparison, most of the Jews on nearby Corfu perish by drowning or in concentration camps.

1. Discuss what affect the constant fear with which Jakob lives would have on a young boy. Use examples from your own life and "Fugitive Pieces" to support your answer.

2. Discuss reasons you think some people like the mayor and Bishop tried to help the Jewish people and others did not. Use examples from your own life and "Fugitive Pieces" to support your answer.

3. Discuss, in depth, the concept of courage as it relates to the mayor and the archbishop. Use examples from your own life and "Fugitive Pieces" to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as "Fugitive Pieces" help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading "Fugitive Pieces"? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in "Fugitive Pieces" to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,081 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample