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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. In which city is Anton living during the Second Episode?

2. In the First Episode, who dresses Anton in a helmet and jacket?

3. Who says to Anton, "Pickles are just like crocodiles"?

4. After hearing shots, what does Anton see through the window?

5. Why does Peter never leave the Steenwijk house?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are the similarities between the author Harry Mulisch and the character Anton?

2. When returning to his neighborhood for the first time since the assault, how does Anton respond to Mrs. Beumer's invitation to come inside?

3. Why does Peter want to move the body of Fake Ploeg?

4. Why does Anton not know about the memorial to the Resistance hostages until Mrs. Beumer tells him?

5. In the First Episode, what happens to Anton's escort on the way to Amsterdam?

6. In the First Episode, why does Anton not jump out of the truck when the convoy is attacked?

7. Upon arriving in Amsterdam, what happens to Anton in the First Episode?

8. After the liberation, how does Anton find out whether his parents are dead or alive?

9. How does Anton react to the news that his family is dead?

10. Describe the neighborhood in which Anton grows up.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Just as many characters could be considered culpable of the murder of the Steenwijks, many also deal with guilt. Choose three characters from the Assault and answer the following questions.

1) What part does the character have in the night of the assault?

2) Why does the character consider himself or herself guilty?

3) How does the character deal with that guilt?

Essay Topic 2

Retribution is a theme connected with the shooting of Fake Ploeg. Do any of the characters in "The Assault" deserve to die? Choose three characters and defend your answer to this question.

Essay Topic 3

Cite three instances of the way Anton's copes with his tragedy. Does it work for him?

(see the answer keys)

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