1. How many Jewish men must gather to form a minyan in order to comply with Jewish law in the holding of a bar mitzvah?
(a) At least 10.
(b) At least 22.
(c) At least 5.
(d) At least 7.

2. Just before Mahmoud tumbles from the boat into the sea, someone at the front of the dinghy yells that he sees what objects?
(a) Rescue boats.
(b) Lightning strikes.
(c) Lighthouses.
(d) Rocks.

3. Before leaving Mahmoud and his family so they can get some sleep, what item does the boy tell them they must procure before the next leg of their trip?
(a) Life jackets.
(b) Flashlights.
(c) A propane stove.
(d) Batteries.

4. Schiendick enrages Josef's father by saying that German law states that what object must be covered with the Nazi flag?
(a) The ship's stock of water.
(b) The coffin of a deceased crew member.
(c) The door of the captain's quarters.
(d) A body buried at sea.

5. On what condition is Josef's father released?
(a) That he provide information about one of his neighbors.
(b) That he remain in Berlin until further notice.
(c) That he pay the Nazis a series of bribes.
(d) That his whole family leave Germany at once.

Short Answer Questions

1. When Mahmoud cries with "exhaustion and misery" (192) while floating in the sea and wants "to do it all over again," what is NOT something he includes on the list of things he would do differently?

2. Where does Josef's mother take Ruthie so that she can enact her plan to calm her husband?

3. When the narrative rejoins Josef in 1939, each member of the family is now wearing what item?

4. What are piropos?

5. What words are painted underneath the portrait painted on the bottom of Isabel's boat?

(see the answer key)

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