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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 is the true relation of the person who lives with Elka?

2. Where does Gimpel live?

3. Who does Gimpel go to for advice?

4. How does Gimpel begin to forget his sorrow?

5. When he visits Elka's house, what takes Gimpel's breath away?

Short Essay Questions

1. Briefly describe how Gimpel first sees Elka, including Elka's living situation.

2. Where does Gimpel go when he leaves Frampol, and who takes care of him?

3. What does Gimpel ask of Elka when he first visits her at her house?

4. Why is Gimpel called a fool?

5. What happens at the bakery and what does it allow Gimpel to do?

6. What does Gimpel say about his situation and what others would do if they were he?

7. While on her deathbed, what does Elka ask of Gimpel and why?

8. How long is Gimpel with Elka and how is their life?

9. What does Gimpel think when he sees the baby crib?

10. Describe the setting of Gimpel the Fool.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Isaac Bashevis Singer is a world-renowned author.

Part 1) Describe Singer's place in history as a writer.

Part 2) Explain why he was and still is pivotal to contemporary literature.

Essay Topic 2

Frampol is a historically significant town that is also the setting for "Gimpel the Fool". Discuss why Singer chose this location for his story, its specific historical significance, and its contribution to the story.

Essay Topic 3

Analyze and discuss the concepts of truth and persecution as they are used in conjunction within the text. What is true to Gimpel? To the townspeople? To God? Which one perseveres, and why? Does truth inspire perseverance? Does one person's truth lead to another person's persecution?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 645 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample