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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. Whom does Ginzburg have in mind as she is writing her memoirs?

2. What is Ginzburg allowed at Magadan Infirmary?

3. To which hut is Ginzburg assigned after leaving the infirmary?

4. Why do the prisoners want the guards to open windows and other sources of fresh air?

5. How long do Ginzburg's parents spend in prison?

Short Essay Questions

1. What solution do Julia and Ginzburg find to reading in low light?

2. How old is Ginzburg when she is writing this book and what does she find difficult to believe?

3. What happens that causes Julia and Ginzburg to eat their hoarded supply of sugar and bread?

4. How do Ginzburg and her mother write letters to each other in code and what is an example of one such letter?

5. What happens when the Prison Governor comes to visit Ginzburg?

6. Who is Marya Dogadkina and how is she described?

7. Why does Ginzburg waken one day to find Krivitsky standing over her?

8. What new rule is forced upon the prisoners and how do they react to the restriction?

9. What happens when Julia and Ginzburg see a flower in the courtyard?

10. What does Ginzburg learn about her father and how does this seem to cause unwarranted punishment?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ginzburg's frustration over failing to prove her innocence increases to anger over the hypocrisy and corrupt nature of the hearings. The charges multiply against her. Suspicions, rumors, and false accusations are rippling throughout Soviet Russia, and as a result, no charges are being taken lightly. Ginzburg's charges now carry the weight of criminal offense.

1. Discuss how frustration might turn to anger in almost any situation. Use examples from Journey Into the Whirlwind and your own life to support your response.

2. What do you think the corruption of the hearings says about the government at the time? Use examples from Journey Into the Whirlwind and your own life to support your response.

3. Discuss the effects that suspicions, rumors, and false accusations might have on a society. Use examples from Journey Into the Whirlwind and your own life to support your response.

Essay Topic 2

Many memoirs, and perhaps a majority, of memoirs ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a memoir? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read memoir? Discuss each one in light of Journey Into the Whirlwind and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why Journey Into the Whirlwind is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Stalin's regime, in conjunction with the frailties of the Communist system, seek to stamp out even perceived opposition to their control. They fear a popular uprising, similar to the uprising they led years before against Czar Nicholas. And in order to maintain power, and continue to instill fear in their people, they continue to apply weight to the people. Apathetic and disinterested Communists are libeled for not denouncing their lesser fellow citizens.

1. Discuss why totalitarian governments are prone to worry about opposition. Use examples from Journey Into the Whirlwind and your own life to support your response.

2. Discuss the ways in which a government can maintain power by the use of fear. Use examples from Journey Into the Whirlwind and your own life to support your response.

3. Explain how requiring citizens to denounce other citizens created the actual situation that Stalin feared. Use examples from Journey Into the Whirlwind and your own life to support your response.

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