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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. How does the rabbi explain the principle use of kosher salt to Hanna in "Hanna: London, Spring 1996"?

2. What word in the novel refers to a special type of Jewish prenuptial agreement that is part of the traditional Jewish marriage?

3. What museum does Hanna describe visiting in the beginning of "Hanna: London, Spring 1996"?

4. What is the name of Hanna's mother's secretary?

5. In what year did Pope Sixtus V proclaim a ban on any books by Jews or Saracens that contained anything against the Catholic Church?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Judah Aryeh? What is his relationship with Father Vistorini?

2. What are the repercussions of Reuben Ben Shoushan's confession?

3. How is the birth of Rosa's baby described in “Saltwater: Tarragona, 1492”?

4. How is Ruti's relationship with Micha described in the narrative?

5. Why does Hanna visit the Tate Museum in “Hanna: London, Spring 1996"? What reaction does she have there?

6. How does Ruti come to learn that the soldiers are seeking her for arrest in “Saltwater: Tarragona, 1492”?

7. What is unique about the hair that has been analyzed from the Sarajevo Haggadah?

8. How does the narrative style transition from “Hanna: Vienna, Spring 1996” to “Wine Stains: Venice, 1609”? Why?

9. How is Giovanni Domenico Vistorini introduced in “Wine Stains: Venice, 1609”?

10. What weakness does Judah Aryeh demonstrate in “Wine Stains: Venice, 1609”? What are the repercussions of this weakness?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss the character of Lola in People of the Book. During what two time periods is Lola's character presented? From what point-of-view are Lola's narratives related? What is Lola's connection to the Sarajevo Haggadah?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and discuss the setting of Australia in People of the Book. How does Hanna's perception of her home country evolve in the course of the novel? What inspires this change in perception? How does Australia differ from the other settings in the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the meaning of books as explored thematically in People of the Book. How does Hanna perceive books differently than others? How does the author explore this theme through setting? character, symbolism, and imagery? What has this novel taught you about the meaning of books?

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