View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Rudy feel after the Nazi physical?

2. What does Liesel accidentally leave behind in the mayor's house while she is robbing him?

3. What excuse does Rudy give the shopkeeper when he is caught stealing apples from the market?

4. What confession does Rudy make to Liesel when they run away from home together?

5. Which of her belongings does Liesel bring into the bomb shelter with her during air raids?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Hans suddenly begin working again during the summer of 1942?

2. Why do two men from the Nazi party suddenly show up at Rudy's home to speak with his parents?

3. What relationship does Liesel have with the book "The Whistler"?

4. How does Michael Holtzapfel die?

5. How is Hans paid for the work he does during the summer of 1942?

6. Why does Liesel angrily shout at Frau Hermann in the library of her house?

7. Why does Liesel bring snow into the basement during winter?

8. What happens when Frau Hermann finally confronts Liesel about stealing from her library?

9. What fear does Rosa have if Max were to die?

10. How does the Hubermann family react during the first air raid drill of the year?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Zusak chooses a very interesting narrator in the voice of Death. First, describe at least two scenes in which Death visits with Liesel. What does the reader learn about Death, and Liesel's relationship with him during these interactions? Do you think Death was an effective narrator for this novel? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

While Max is living in the Hubermann's basement, he has little to no contact with the outside world. First, describe how Max spends his days while he is confined to the basement. Then, explain how Max manages to catch glimpses, both real and imagined, of what life is like on the outside during his confinement.

Essay Topic 3

Adolf Hitler's book "Mein Kampf" is a very important prop in the plot of this novel. First, describe what message Hitler was trying to send to the German people with his book. Then, give at least two examples of scenes in which characters from the novel use "Mein Kampf" as a tool to aid in the fight against Hitler.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 998 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample