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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. Under Communist rule, who supported the young and unemployed?

2. What did Slavenka leave at home once she became popular at school?

3. In "Our Little Stasi", what bill did Slavenka struggle to pay?

4. At the beginning of "Pizza in Warsaw, Torte in Prague", where did Slavenka and Jolanta go for a visit?

5. Who helped Ulrike get out of prison?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did people trade space in their apartments?

2. Why were the people of the former communistic society surprised when they were allowed to own things?

3. Where did Ulrike live when she was released from prison?

4. Why did the Communists prevent women from wearing make-up?

5. How did Tanja's lover die?

6. Slavenka realized that, to her daughter, Barbie represented what?

7. Why was Slavenka concerned that Americans could not imagine what it would be like to live in a Communist society?

8. Why did Slavenka have to learn of Ulrike's past from a friend rather than Ulrike?

9. Why was Slavenka disappointed after the fall of Communism?

10. What pained Slavenka in a memory of her grandmother?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Although Communism fell, many of those raised under Communist rule were still affected by a Communist mentality. Define what is meant by a Communist mentality, using supporting examples from the text.

Essay Topic 2

When Slavenka was growing up, Communism was the only life she knew When it fell she was optimistic but afraid.

1) For Slavenka, what was it like living under Communism rule?

2) How did her life change when Communism falls?

3) How did Eastern Europe change, following the fall?

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the relationship between Slavenka and her parents and the relationship between Slavenka and her daughter.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 538 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample