View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is the only one in Rifka's family who can speak Russian without a Yiddish accent?

2. What kind of fruit does Rifka buy from the vendor at the steamship dock?

3. What job does Saul get while waiting on his family to get well?

4. Where is Rifka sent to get treatment for her disease?

5. Rifka states that life in Russia is good for Tovah because ___________________.

Short Essay Questions

1. What is revealed about why Rifka and her family had to leave Russia?

2. What humiliating things are forced upon Rifka and her family by the guards and a doctor at the Polish border?

3. How does Rifka try to repay Saul for the food he earns for them?

4. Describe Rifka's personality traits and which is probably her strongest trait?

5. What happens when Mama, Papa and Nathan come down with typhus, and where do Rifka and Saul go?

6. What is missing from Rifka's rucksack when it is returned to her and how does she feel about the loss?

7. How is life in Russia better for Tovah than it was for Rifka?

8. How does Rifka spend her time at the hospital when she goes to see her family?

9. What is Saul's advice for preventing the innkeeper's daughter from eating her food in the future?

10. What is Uncle Avrum's role in helping Rifka's family escape on the train?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What important life lessons does Rifka learn from little Ilya? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Write a character sketch of Nathan. Be sure to include both physical and emotional characteristics as well as personal motivations, fears, etc.

Essay Topic 3

"Letters from Rifka" is a classic coming-of-age story. What does that classification entail? Why does this book fit into this category?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 770 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample