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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. How does Seiffert first introduce Helmut's family as impoverished?

2. Who is the first to indicate Helmut's disability to him?

3. What runs through Helmut's mind as he looks for his parents after the bombings?

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

5. What motivates Helmut to exercise his arm?

Short Essay Questions

1. Refugees come through Berlin and some speak of a brutal Soviet army the size of a continent. Others deny their truths and say it is not so. Why is it hard to know what is true and what is not? Who is right?

2. When the farmer's son taunts Lore and pushes her down, the twins throw rocks at him. What does this show about the children?

3. Gladigau is first Papi's, then Helmut's employer. Gladigau does more than just pay his workers. How is Gladigau an important figure, especially to Helmut?

4. Mutti tries to burn the badges but they do not burn all the way. Lore tries to throw them deep into the river, but buries them in the bushes when this does not work. What do the badges and the efforts to rid them symbolize?

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

6. At night, when the bombs are close, Helmut shouts at the noise. Why does he feel this need? What does it do for him?

7. The new train station guard does not like Helmut immediately. Only after knowing Helmut's current situation, does he help Helmut. Why does the train station guard act this way? What does that say about the bombings in Berlin?

8. Helmut catalogues Berlin through his snapshots. For months, Helmut sees the emptying of the city. When Gladigau interprets the pictures, he sees Berlin as the home it always is. What does Helmut learn about photography from this experience?

9. As part of Papi's pay, Gladigau takes family portraits while Helmut grows up. How do the family portraits play a role in this story and what progression is observed from when Helmut is a newborn to the last individual photo?

10. Helmut has the opportunity to work as a soldier five years into the war. What are Helmut's thoughts and feelings towards being a soldier?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many characters in the novel are shown doing both good and bad deeds. Write about what makes a person good or bad. What goes into the title of good or bad?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the significance of the posted pictures of the Holocaust. Why are they posted? How do the Germans receive them? What issues come up concerning the pictures?

Essay Topic 3

Describe in detail and follow the progression of Lore's feelings for Tomas. How does she feel about him when she first sees him? How does she feel about Tomas when Juri asks about him on the ferry?

(see the answer keys)

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