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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. During Communism, what were Eastern Europeans good at doing?

2. Under Communism, Slavenka knew Croatia would never what?

3. In "How We Survived Communism", what useless item did Vesna's mother spend time washing?

4. What political label did Slavenka give herself in "A Letter from the United States..."?

5. What war did Slavenka watch during "The Day When They Say That War Will Begin"?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why did charity not exist under socialism?

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

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

5. In "Some Doubt about Fur Coats", why did Slavenka feel guilty about wearing a fur coat?

6. What happened to the new facade in Budapest?

7. How did Slavenka define the "communist eye"?

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

9. In "The Day They Say That War Will Begin", why were the shelves in many stores bare?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When Slavenka bought a fur coat, she felt guilty but decided to wear it on principle.

1) Why did she feel guilty?

2) What did the coat symbolize?

3) Why principles inspired her to wear it anyway?

Essay Topic 2

Although many of the women in the book were married, they were not in happy relationships. Write an essay supporting or refuting the following statement, citing examples from the text: Many of Slavenka's friends were unhappy in their relationship due to the inequality between men and women.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 600 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample