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. When Helmuth thinks about creating a pamphlet, what is the name of the essay that he writes?

3. What does Brother Worbs read on New Year's Eve 1940?

4. When Karl listens to the shortwave with Helmuth in 1941, how many Nazis are left behind dead and wounded?

5. On New Year's Eve 1940, what does Helmuth see on the street?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. When Helmuth tells Hugo what he is writing his thesis for graduation, what does Hugo tell him?

3. When British bombers bomb Hamburg in June 1940, what do Helmuth and Rudi say about the incident?

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

5. As 1940 ends, how is the war proceeding and what rumors are heard?

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

7. How does Helmuth feel as 1940 ends?

8. What does Herr Meins say about Helmuth's essay and the topic?

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

10. When Gerhard comes home in 1941, what does he look like?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The novel takes place in Germany during Hitler’s rise to power and World War II. Does the setting serve as a backdrop or does it almost take on the role of a character? How does the setting evoke feelings and set the tone in the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Hitler make the Communist and Jews scapegoats for everything that was wrong with Germany. What problems did Germany have when Hitler rose to power? How and why did Hitler make the Communists and Jews scapegoats for all that was wrong with Germany? How did using Communists and Jews as scapegoats help solidify his position and power?

Essay Topic 3

Helmuth begins to realize that Hitler and the Nazis are lying. What are the circumstances and people who influence Helmuth? How do those circumstance and people influence Helmuth and lead him to want to tell the truth?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 925 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample