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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 the other prisoners think about the Sonderkommandos?

2. When Levi's squad was clearing rubble, what did he find?

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

4. According to Levi, why did prisoners not commit suicide?

5. Why should survivors' stories be read critically?

Short Essay Questions

1. Briefly describe the Nazi death camp system.

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

3. How does Levi shock Germans after the war?

4. Briefly describe the life of Chaim Rumkowski.

5. Why do historians need to study the stories of survivors?

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

7. Why does Primo Levi write about his experiences?

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

9. According to Levi, which memories seem to be universal?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss some of the main issues regarding communication mentioned in the book. Make sure to touch on communication within the lager as well as the communication of survivors.

Essay Topic 2

Many survivors, Levi included, tell their stories so that the world can learn from their experience. We know that genocide has happened since World War II in different parts of the world. Analyze the extent to which you think hearing survivors' stories helps prevent another atrocity.

Essay Topic 3

Levi writes this book hoping to receive letters that help him answer the question of whether or not Germans can be understood. Do you think Levi gets his answer? Do you think Germans can be understood for their role in the Holocaust?

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