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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. Why does Levi consider most survivors to be of the "privileged" class?

2. What were the Sonderkommandos taught?

3. What does Levi contend about survivors' memories?

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

5. Which subset of prisoners does Levi think make the best observers?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Explain the nature of human memory.

3. What was the classic militiamen defense that Eichmann and Hoss used?

4. How does a totalitarian state control its citizens?

5. Why were political prisoners envied?

6. Explain the concept of "convenient truth."

7. Comment on Levi's experience with speaking/understanding German in the lager.

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

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

10. Why does Levi think prisoners are beyond neuroses?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the writing style and the tone of the book. How does it contribute to the overall impact of the book?

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

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?

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