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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. Who are the people that are leaving the city and where are they going?

2. How is Helmut's ability as a darkroom technician described?

3. How are Helmut's winters described?

4. What is Helmut's secret agenda regarding the photos he takes of Berlin?

5. Who is Lore's family hiding from when they go into hiding?

Short Essay Questions

1. Germany attacks its neighbors and gains more lands that are prosperous. Neither Helmut nor anyone in his neighborhood seems to argue the Third Reich's actions. In fact, many boys are signing up to fight the war. Why would some Germans welcome the war and the push into other countries?

2. When the family eats their soup, Juri shyly offers his bread to Tomas. What does this indicate about Juri and his family?

3. When Juri is injured, Lore is the first to carry him on her back. What does this indicate about Lore and her responsibilities?

4. Describe Lore's role in the family.

5. Tomas helps Lore and her family out of trouble and follows them. Why? What does he gain from the situation? Is he just being nice?

6. Helmut is cast to the side with the weak during physical education. Helmut tries to "prove himself" for whom and why?

7. During one of Helmut's walks around the city, he encounters the SS collecting and trucking the gypsies away. What is Helmut's reaction to this event?

8. The Third Reich is at its height when Helmut is a teenager. How does this age and Helmut's life affect his acceptance and loyalty to the Third Reich?

9. Helmut notices the city is emptying. More people are leaving on the trains and less are returning. This is a mystery and Seiffert never explicitly offers an explanation. Why not?

10. At the beginning of the war efforts, Helmut is intent on joining the army. Despite his arm, he is adamant about joining. Why is the army so vital in Helmut's life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The novel touches upon lots of judgments and racism. Compare and contrast generational differences to these issues. How do the Omas feel? How do children of the veterans feel? Grandchildren?

Essay Topic 2

Helmut listens to the radio for Germany's progress. At the same time, he notices an emptying of Berlin. The two are correlated, but it is a mystery to Helmut. What is the correlation and what makes it difficult for Helmut to see how the victories abroad are tied to the city's emptiness?

Essay Topic 3

In Micha's story, Micha gets angry that the school only teaches about the occupation from the victim's perspective. This novel offers the German's perspective. Write a short paper on how this novel changed your ideas about WWII. Has it changed? How has it changed? Did you ever consider the human side of the German soldiers before? If so, does this novel give you a better idea?

(see the answer keys)

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