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. In 1942, who are the first agents to interrogate Helmuth?

2. In 1940, how many people can the bomb shelters built in Hamburg hold?

3. In 1940, what is built in Hamburg?

4. In 1940 how long after British bombers bomb Hamburg does Paris fall to the Germans?

5. In June 1941, what countries have the Nazis overrun?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Helmuth feel after he betrays Karl and Rudi and why does he decide that he must live?

2. What is the concentration camp like where Helmuth is taken after his first interrogation?

3. Where does Gerhard go for his mandatory Reich Labor Service and what does he do?

4. After German troops march into France, what is done in Hamburg to prepare for war?

5. What does Helmuth discover when he first listens to Gerhard's shortwave?

6. Why does Helmuth sometimes hate Gerhard?

7. How do the Gestapo agents search Helmuth's grandparents' apartment, and what do they find?

8. When and for what is Helmuth found guilty and what is his sentence?

9. What does Helmuth discover at his workplace after he graduates from school?

10. What does Helmuth do that leads to his arrest?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Helmuth is labeled as a non-conformist when he questions a picture that shows a sailor holding the flag above the sea while he drowns. In what ways is Helmuth a non-conformist? How does being a non-conformist affect the way that Helmuth struggles to fit in with the Hitler Youth and other aspects of the Nazi regime?

Essay Topic 2

All the letters Helmuth wrote is family were gone, but Gerhard had memorized his letter. What did Helmuth’s letter reveal about Helmuth? What was the significance of the letter?

Essay Topic 3

In the novel characters who demonstrate courage show their courage in different ways. Who are some of the characters who are courageous? How do they show their courage? How does courage help characters to take action in spite of the great chance of failure?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 824 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample