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 7.
(c) At least 5.
(d) At least 22.

2. What does Ivan want to be when he grows up?
(a) A doctor.
(b) A marine biologist.
(c) A professional soccer player.
(d) A professional baseball player.

3. What does Isabel give the fisherman in return for gasoline to power Ivan's family's boat?
(a) A coat.
(b) A backpack.
(c) Mofongo.
(d) A trumpet.

4. What is Josef's father's profession at the start of the novel?
(a) Doctor.
(b) Lawyer.
(c) Tailor.
(d) Reporter.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. The third major character focused upon within the novel's narrative is Mahmoud, a boy living in Syria. What year is it when the reader first joins Mahmoud?

2. Josef's family is traveling on a train in order to get on a ship headed for what country?

3. What is NOT among Fidel Castro's oft-repeated list of the three greatest achievements of the Cuban Revolution?

4. In what year does the telling of Josef's narrative begin?

5. In order to avail themselves of the smuggler's help, Mahmoud and his family must first make it to what city on the coast of Turkey?

(see the answer key)

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