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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. In what country is Castro a leader?

2. Why was Slavenka confused when certain people were glorified in the United States?

3. In "Some Doubts...", what exotic purchase did Slavenka feel guilty about?

4. In "A Letter from the United States...", what did Slavenka say regarding Communist women and public discourse?

5. What group wanted to take political control during the strife in Yugoslavia?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was the reaction of the audience to Slavenka's speech on the state of women after the "velvet revolution"?

2. What did Slavenka suspect about the homeless in New York?

3. In "Some Doubt about Fur Coats", what happened to a girl wearing a mink coat in Beograd?

4. Why was Tito's death significant?

5. Why was Slavenka surprised with herself when she tried to pick a good muffin off the ground in New York?

6. Why did charity not exist under socialism?

7. What struck Slavenka as unusual, regarding the election in Sagreb, Croatia?

8. In "How We Survived Communism", why did Vesna's mother want her to save a ripped stocking?

9. What affected Slavenka emotionally, during her first midnight mass?

10. According to Slavenka, what was the effect of Communism on her country?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Although Slavenka was somewhat of an environmentalist, she balked at government control in this area. Write an essay examining her stance on the government's involvement in the environment. Analyze why she feels the way she does about the topic, citing examples from the text.

Essay Topic 3

Once communism fell, there was still much unrest and disorganization in the cities it once ruled. Write an essay examining the effect of this change on one of the following topics:

1) The citizens.

2) The buildings.

3) The culture.

(see the answer keys)

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