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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 "How We Survived Communism", Slavenka says Communism failed due to what reason?

2. Once they had the right to vote, the people in Zagreb had little interest in doing what?

3. When Slavenka attended midnight mass, what was the focus of the sermon?

4. Who was in charge of renewing Zagreb?

5. In Croatia, when did the citizens begin to celebrate Christmas once again?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why was Tito's death significant?

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

3. Why was Slavenka disturbed by the sermon she heard at her first midnight mass?

4. Why was Slavenka concerned at the rapid rate at which the European cities freed from Communism were remodeled?

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

6. Why did charity not exist under socialism?

7. What items had Vesna's mother been known to collect?

8. Slavenka believes it impossible for a regime to do what?

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

10. Why did Slavenka hold up sanitary napkins and tampons during a speech?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When Slavenka visited America, she was disgusted to see the "natural look" glamorized in fashion magazines. Write an essay examining the idea of beauty during Communist times and how freedom affected Slavenka's personal appreciation for make-up and individuality.

Essay Topic 2

Many of the products and services Slavenka was raised with were poor quality, as they were managed by the state. Write an essay examining the cause and effect of communism on one of the following state run organizations:

1) The post office.

2) The phone company.

3) The appliance industry.

Essay Topic 3

Symbolism is a literary method of using an object in a narrative to represent a higher ideal. Choose from one of the following symbols that appear in "How We Survived Communism and Even Laughed" and examine its purpose in the story.

1) Soup.

2) Golub.

3) The Censor.

(see the answer keys)

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