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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. The "Sachsenhausen salute" involves torturing a prisoner by forcing him to remain in what type of position for hours at a time without moving?
(a) A seated position.
(b) A kneeling position.
(c) A squatting position.
(d) A standing position.

2. As Yanek consumes snow from the cattle car's ventilation grate, he has a moment of longing for which of his late family members?
(a) His father.
(b) His cousin.
(c) His mother.
(d) His uncle.

3. What numerical term does Yanek use to describe the number of people who have died during the long train trip to Birkenau?
(a) One dozen.
(b) Several dozen.
(c) Hundreds.
(d) Scores.

4. Yanek's first assigned task after he is moved to the Trzebinia concentration camp is to move a pile of what objects from one site to another?
(a) Rocks.
(b) Bricks.
(c) Shoes.
(d) Firewood.

5. What is the name of the salt mine in which Yanek is put to work in 1943?
(a) Morsleben.
(b) Wieliczka.
(c) Merkers.
(d) Berchtesgaden.

Short Answer Questions

1. The night after the man claiming to have the surname of Finkelstein dies, Yanek dreams that statues made of what substance come to life?

2. At the end of Chapter 18, Yanek has a dream that which person is chasing him?

3. For how many hours does Yanek remain inside the motionless cattle car while the other cars are loaded with Jewish people?

4. What location does every prisoner at Auschwitz do their best to avoid?

5. When another train passes the train on which Yanek is riding in Chapter 15, Yanek discovers that his train is heading toward which concentration camp?

Short Essay Questions

1. What ominous warning does an SS guard give to Yanek as he enters Auschwitz?

2. What distinction does Yanek make between the Trzebinia concentration camp and the other camps in which he has been imprisoned?

3. Which qualities of new prisoners help Yanek to qualify certain individuals as such?

4. Discuss an instance in the novel when Yanek's determination to survive is apparent.

5. To what location is Yanek sent after he is removed from the Plaszow concentration camp?

6. What small moment of triumph does Yanek experience during the transition from Auschwitz to another concentration camp?

7. Which objects in the salt mine does Yanek consider aesthetically beautiful?

8. What morning routine does Yanek develop during his time imprisoned in Birkenau and why does he consider the routine important?

9. How does the theme of altruism arise within the journey from Auschwitz to Sachsenhausen?

10. At what point do Yanek and the other new arrivals to the Birkenau death camp realize that they have been spared for the moment?

(see the answer keys)

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