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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 does Levi think about power?

2. According to Levi, which statement best describes the Lagers?

3. When did Levi's friend Alberto stop being critical of those who consoled themselves with illusions?

4. From where did Monowitz receive new prisoners?

5. Which of the following was NOT a common justification that Nazis used when confessing?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Primo Levi write about his experiences?

2. What happeneds to people who become sonderkommandos?

3. Why do survivors simplify the past by using stark good vs. evil distinctions?

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

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

6. Why did Alberto change his mind about consoling oneself with illusions?

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

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

9. How does Levi shock Germans after the war?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the different ways that Levi thinks memories change over time. Include at least three ways that memories change and give an example of each.

Essay Topic 2

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 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?

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