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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. Asher requests to live with which character while Aryeh and Rivkeh are in Europe?
(a) Yitzchok Lev.
(b) Yudel Krinsky.
(c) The mashpia.
(d) Jacob Kahn.

2. What maintained observant Judaism in Russia during the years before World War II?
(a) The synagogues.
(b) Ladover yeshivos.
(c) The Rebbe.
(d) The krias shema.

3. At the beginning of Chapter 4, which person does Asher draw repeatedly?
(a) His mythic ancestor.
(b) Jacob Kahn.
(c) Stalin.
(d) The Rebbe.

4. After completing her undergraduate degree, Rivkeh pursues a master's degree in which academic discipline?
(a) Jewish literature.
(b) Religious studies.
(c) Mathematics.
(d) Russian affairs.

5. Who takes care of the Lev family during Rivkeh's incapacitating depression?
(a) Yitzchok Lev's wife.
(b) Aryeh.
(c) Mrs. Rackover.
(d) Asher.

Short Answer Questions

1. In Chapter 2, Aryeh is greatly disturbed at the brutal deaths of which group of people?

2. Of whom does Asher frequently dream?

3. What instrument does the Rebbe use to make a loud noise on Rosh Hashonoh?

4. Who does not come to the Lev home on Sundays, leaving Rivkeh and Asher to fix lunch for themselves?

5. Asher sees strong similarities between the face of the mashpia and the face of which other character?

Short Essay Questions

1. According to the mashpia's instructions, there are three types of Jews. List the types and explain them briefly.

2. At the beginning of Chapter 4, Asher draws Stalin many times. How do Aryeh and Rivkeh react to Asher's renewed interest in drawing?

3. 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.

4. What does Asher know about his paternal grandfather?

5. Why doesn't Asher want to go to Vienna?

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

7. Where does the Lev family spend their summers? What do they do there?

8. Describe Rivkeh's reaction to her loved one's death.

9. At the end of Chapter 3, Asher draws a picture of Stalin in his notebook without realizing it. What do you think is happening in Asher's mind when he draws things without being aware of it?

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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