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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. What does Peter take from Ploeg?

2. What is Anton's childhood home next to?

3. While in a jail cell, a woman tells Anton a story about what?

4. Why does Anton's family spend all their time in the dining room?

5. Why does Anton return to Haarlem for the first time after the assault?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Anton returns to his old neighborhood for the first time, how have his neighbors changed?

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

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

4. Describe the neighborhood in which Anton grows up.

5. How does Anton spend the night after the shooting?

6. Why does Mr. Steenwijk teach Peter and Anton at home?

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

8. When he returns to his old neighborhood, what information does Mrs. Beumer give Anton that he had not known before?

9. Describe the relationship between Anton and the Van Liempts.

10. Why is the birthday party in the Second Episode significant?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 3

In the beginning of the book, Anton's family consists of his parents and Peter. At the end, he has created a new family for himself. Discuss Anton's relationship with his family members, including both of his wives and his children.

(see the answer keys)

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