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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. The door that the traveler knocks on at the concentration camp when he arrives is the door to what former structure in Part I: “A Guest of Poland,” Chapter 2?

2. Where was chemist and writer Primo Levi born?

3. What is the last name of the retreat attendee that is described in Part I: “A Guest of Poland,” Chapter 3 as “a makeshift Tibetan Buddhist from New Jersey”?

4. What word from Part II: “In the Ogre’s Cave,” Chapter 4 refers to the distribution of light and shade in a picture?

5. How many Jews does the traveler tell his companions were murdered after World War II in Poland in Part I: “A Guest of Poland,” Chapter 2?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Olin point out about the history of Oswiecim in Part I: “A Guest of Poland,” Chapter 2?

2. What are Dr. Olin’s personal reasons for attending the retreat, according to the narrator in Part I: “A Guest of Poland,” Chapter 3?

3. How does Dr. Stern describe his personal mission in attending the retreat in Part I: “A Guest of Poland,” Chapter 3?

4. What symbolic items did Olin’s grandfather bring with him to the New World, according to the narrator in Part II: “In the Ogre’s Cave,” Chapter 5? Why?

5. What does Olin consider about his behavior after the departure of Wanda and Mirek in Part I: “A Guest of Poland,” Chapter 2?

6. How is the setting of Kasmierz described in Part I: “A Guest of Poland,” Chapter 1?

7. What is on the agenda for the first morning of the retreat in Part I: “A Guest of Poland,” Chapter 3?

8. How is the conflict involving Mr. Earwig resolved in Part II: “In the Ogre’s Cave,” Chapter 4?

9. Why does Olin set out alone for Birkenau after lunch in Part II: “In the Ogre’s Cave,” Chapter 4?

10. What confrontation takes place between Earwig and Olin outside the crematorium in Part II: “In the Ogre’s Cave,” Chapter 4?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the city of Oswiecim and discuss its significance to Clements Olin in the narrative. What does Clements point out of the setting when it is encountered? What relationship to Mirek and Wanda have to this city?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the characters of Father Mikal and Stefan in the novel. How are Father Mikal and Stefan alike? How do they differ? What tensions exist between these characters?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the character of Ben Lama in the narrative. What is Ben Lama’s role at the retreat? Where is he from? What are Ben’s objectives at the retreat?

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