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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. What happens after a period of regular interrogations?

2. What eventually stops this first round of the new type of interrogations?

3. To what does Ginzburg attribute her not signing anything that was false?

4. Who is Captain Vevers?

5. What does Ginzburg call her mother-in-law?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Alexandra Alexandrovna advise Ginzburg?

2. To where is Ginzburg's case referred, and what is significant about that fact?

3. Describe Captain Vevers' behavior to Ginzburg.

4. What happens after Ginzburg is given a summation of her indictments?

5. How do the prisoners communicate in Krasin, and what disturbing piece of news does Ginzburg receive in one such communication?

6. What does Ira ask Tsarevsky to do as she and others are being transferred and what does his willingness to do so portend?

7. When is Ginzburg arrested and where does she tell goodbye?

8. What is the "Conveyor Belt" interrogation method and how is it used on Ginzburg?

9. Who are some of Ginzburg's cellmates at Krasin Street Prison?

10. Where is Ginzburg being transferred and what is significant about the watch returned to her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Journey Into the Whirlwind belongs to the memoir genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the memoir genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a memoir and a historical novel?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as Journey Into the Whirlwind help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading Journey Into the Whirlwind? Why or why not?

3. Choose one specific incident in Journey Into the Whirlwind to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

(see the answer keys)

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