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 helps Rifka buy her ticket to America?

2. What is the line between being in America, and not being in America?

3. How long did the broken steamship drift until help arrived?

4. Rifka recalls that her cousins gave her _______________ for her ninth birthday.

5. What amazes the passenger's on Rifka's ship as they pull into the harbor?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does this section of the book show about Rifka's burgeoning maturity?

2. What terrible fate does Pieter meet during a big storm while aboard ship?

3. Who rescues Rifka when she gets lost while out exploring Antwerp?

4. What does Rifka save up for to have specially made for herself?

5. What are the passengers on board the ship fascinated by as they enter the New York harbor?

6. Where does Rifka stay when she goes to Belgium?

7. How does Rifka prepare herself for going to America?

8. What role does Rifka's Judaism play as a way of staying connected to her family?

9. How does Rifka learn to find family connections even though she is alone in Antwerp?

10. What excites Rifka about news in a letter from her parents?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Letters from Rifka" is a classic example of historical fiction. What does that classification entail? Why does this book fit into this category?

Essay Topic 2

Even though she is not a true character in the book, what role does Tovah play in the story? Cite examples to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Explain the irony of Rifka's beautiful blond hair distracting the guards so that her family can be safe, but how her own life is in jeopardy when she loses her hair from illness.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 707 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample