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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. To what type of venue did Oskar Schindler invite a group of men around Christmas of 1939?

2. In the Prologue, how does Schindler kiss the prostitutes invited to dinner?

3. In the Prologue, Schindler remarks that Goeth turns into what when drunk?

4. What color does the little girl who is brought to the Dresners prefer?

5. How does Leopold Pfefferberg escape his imprisonment in the Cracow train station?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Keneally's initial description of Oskar Schindler tell you about the man?

2. Chapter 16 compares the ZOB's resistance style (blowing things up) against Oskar's style (protecting his Jewish workers). Describe which method you think is more effective, and why.

3. How did young Olek Rosner get some water when the train from Goleszow finally stopped?

4. At the beginning of Chapter 6, Keneally describes Oskar Schindler using "portable wealth--diamonds, gold, trade goods" as the desirable currency of the day. Describe some of the "trade goods" that you think might have been used as currency or barter since much of the Jewish wealth had been confiscated.

5. Of the approximately 10,000 men who began the march from Auschwitz toward Gross-Rosen, about how many actually arrived, and what happened to those who didn't?

6. Chapter 17 describes the first time Oskar works for the resistance. It is still relatively early in Oskar's involvement and few reasons are given for Oskar undertaking such a risky journey. Why do you think Oskar decided to risk the trip to Budapest?

7. Little Genia has a fictitious "family." Why?

8. In Chapter 27, the burning of the bodies begins at Plaszow. Keneally says "In the enthusiasm of the spring of 1943, bodies--notably the bodies of those killed in the ghetto's last two days--were thrown randomly into mass graves in the woods." Having read of the number killed in the ghetto clearances, and knowing how many have been killed since at Plaszow, describe how you think this level of murder could be completely hidden. If you think it cannot be completely hidden, tell why you think that.

9. Oskar eventually returns to Frankfurt, where he decides to go into industry again. What type of business does he open?

10. Keneally writes that Schindler was "frightened" after his second arrest. What was different this time that made him unable to laugh off this arrest as he did the first?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine the different ways Oskar Schindler defies authority. Although he doesn't participate in outright defiance, like bombing buildings, his defiance is still measurable. Describe at least three ways Oskar defies "the system," and give specific examples from the book.

Essay Topic 2

In Chapter 1, Keneally searches for some reason or incident in Schindler's background to explain his motivation for saving so many Jews. He doesn't come up with anything definitive. Explain your own theory as to why Oskar Schindler risked so much to save these people. Was it just the thrill of taking risks? Did all of these people become good friends of his? Did he see how wrong the German actions were? If so, why didn't he speak up?

Essay Topic 3

The setting of a book can function almost as another character. Describe how the setting of Schindler's List, especially the descriptions of Emalia, Plaszow, and Brinnlitz, surround the characters and become part of the fabric of the story. Discuss what effect the setting has on the book as a whole, and how the book might be different if it had been set somewhere else.

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