View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Levi's knowledge of the German language was __________ in Auschwitz.
(a) Forgettable.
(b) Useless.
(c) Problematic.
(d) Helpful.

2. What does Levi think about power?
(a) That it is evil.
(b) That it is necessary.
(c) That it is intoxicating.
(d) That it corrupts people.

3. Which of the following is NOT something that survivors have a particularly hard time listening to people complain about?
(a) Fatigue.
(b) Cold.
(c) Heat.
(d) Hunger.

4. According to Levi, who is trapped by memories?
(a) Survivors and oppressors.
(b) High level Nazi officials.
(c) Only survivors.
(d) Only oppressors.

5. What was the place of the Sonderkommandos within the Lager?
(a) They were kept segregated.
(b) They only ate with other prisoners.
(c) They moved about freely.
(d) They shared barracks with other prisoners.

Short Answer Questions

1. After his return, what did Levi's religious friend think?

2. How did prisoners who speak Yiddish look upon Italian Jews who did not speak it?

3. The Nazi party was elected to power in which country?

4. Who was Hans Biebow in relation to Chaim Rumkowski?

5. According to Levi, when do survivors experience angst?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Levi think of the theory of "incommunicability"?

2. Briefly describe the life of Chaim Rumkowski.

3. What does Levi consider to be his mission and why?

4. What is Primo Levi's theory about judging any people associated with the lagers?

5. What does Levi consider to be the extreme case of collaboration?

6. According to Levi, why do oppressors suppress memories?

7. What did the Nazis hope as the tide of war turned in 1942?

8. What is "willed ignorance?"

9. Why did survivors not feel the happiness at liberation that is portrayed in literature and movies?

10. Levi often characterizes survivors as being privileged. What does he mean by this?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 771 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample