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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. What did new prisoners bring with them?

2. Who orated in the style of Hitler?

3. Who does Levi think is in the gray zone for ordering an underling to kill someone?

4. According to Levi, who is trapped by memories?

5. Levi's knowledge of the German language was __________ in Auschwitz.

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why were political prisoners envied?

3. Briefly describe the life of Chaim Rumkowski.

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

5. How does a totalitarian state control its citizens?

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

7. While clearing rubble, Levi finds a spigot with fresh water. Why was this such a big deal?

8. Explain the theory of "incommunicability."

9. What is "willed ignorance?"

10. Comment on how a prisoner's moral yardstick changed during his internment.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely."

1) Discuss this quote in reference to life during the Nazi era for Jews in the ghettos and lagers.

2) Discuss this quote in reference to Nazi officials and SS guards.

Essay Topic 2

How did the treatment of prisoners change over the course of the war? What happened as the Nazis began to suffer defeats on the battlefields?

Essay Topic 3

What would you have done if you were recruited to be a sonderkommando? How do you think you would have handled being in that situation?

(see the answer keys)

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