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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 does Saul buy every morning for his and Rifka's breakfast?

2. What is Rifka's hometown?

3. What disease does Rifka have that prevents her from getting a ticket to America?

4. Which of the following is NOT something Rifka does at the hospital?

5. What is Rifka's prognosis according to the medical student?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where is Rifka sent for her ringworm treatment and what organization is shepherding her through the process?

2. Why is Rifka acting as a distraction on the train?

3. What causes Rifka to scratch her chest until she bleeds in the night?

4. What is Rifka doing as the novel opens?

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

6. Why will the steamship company not sell a ticket to Rifka for passage to America?

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

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

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

10. What is revealed about Rifka and her family, and why they had to leave Russia?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The quest for America takes on an almost human persona in this story. What is this literary technique called? Cite examples that support this position.

Essay Topic 2

Despite the extremely trying times of people living in the post World War I immigration era, there are some who are very generous and supportive of each other. Cite at least three examples that show this strength of character and generosity.

Essay Topic 3

"Letters from Rifka" is a letter-based novel. Explain the concept of what a letter-based novel is and cite examples that support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 800 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample