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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. While Asher is waiting to see the Rebbe, the other man in the waiting room is doing what?
(a) Writing a letter.
(b) Studying Torah.
(c) Reading a magazine.
(d) Drawing.

2. Where does Asher's aunt Leah live?
(a) Boston.
(b) Vienna.
(c) Orange, New Jersey.
(d) Manhattan.

3. What is the dessert Asher wants the housekeeper to make?
(a) Peanut butter cookies.
(b) Ice cream sundaes.
(c) Brownies.
(d) Chocolate pudding.

4. Who stays in Brooklyn with Asher while Aryeh moves to Europe?
(a) Yudel Krinsky.
(b) Yitzchok Lev.
(c) The mashpia.
(d) Rivkeh.

5. What is the place where Aryeh goes regularly to have a ritual bath?
(a) The mivkeh.
(b) The sitra achra.
(c) The synagogue.
(d) The mashpia.

Short Answer Questions

1. At the beginning of Chapter 4, which person does Asher draw repeatedly?

2. Which person's picture is on the wall in every classroom at Asher's school?

3. In Chapter 2, Aryeh becomes ill with what disease?

4. What are the Shabbos songs called?

5. What does the mashpia call Asher?

Short Essay Questions

1. When talking with Asher about Vienna, what does Yudel Krinsky imply when he quotes, "honor your father and mother"?

2. Why does Rivkeh want to enter the university?

3. Why does Asher miss his father so much on the first Shabbos without him?

4. Compare Aryeh's reaction to Stalin's death with Yudel Krinsky's reaction.

5. Yudel Krinsky mentions several differences between Russia and the United States. What is one difference?

6. Whenever Aryeh leaves for a trip, Rivkeh says, "Have a safe journey, Aryeh." In Chapter 5, Asher begins to develop a sensitivity to Rivkeh's underlying emotions. Describe what Rivkeh is feeling when she says goodbye to Aryeh.

7. During Asher's struggles against going to Vienna, he asks why no one is listening to him. Rivkeh replies, "Everyone is listening. [...] There would be no problem if no one were listening to you, Asher." Explain what Rivkeh means by this statement.

8. What happens to the Russian writers? How do the Levs react?

9. When Asher first meets Jacob Kahn, what advice does Jacob give him concerning becoming an artist?

10. In Chapter 6 as Rivkeh and Asher adjust to life on their own, Rivkeh begins to talk about her grief over Yaakov's death. Which people in her life died prematurely, and how did she feel when that happened?

(see the answer keys)

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