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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 didn't the critics like netsuke?

2. What country does Viktor help his cousins get to?

3. Who had bombed Tokyo for three years?

4. Why did the Japanese decide to accept the Pan Pan girls?

5. What philosopher did Emmy call a bear with the manners of a bear?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was Elisabeth's passion as a student?

2. Describe the family apartment when Elisabeth visits after the second world war.

3. Why does the author think the Japanese are so good with their hands?

4. How did the Japanese company Sony develop?

5. Why did Iggy find it easy to settle down in Tokyo than some other foreigners?

6. How did life in Vienna change after Hitler visited the city?

7. How does the author describe Emmy and Viktor's three children?

8. How did Vienna change during the war?

9. What problems does Viktor have with the vitrine in Chapter 15?

10. How did Austrian government react to the atrocities of World War Two?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine the book's chronological setting.

1. What were the main concerns during the early part of the 20th century? How does the author express these concerns?

2. How would the author change the book if it was set in today's society?

Essay Topic 2

How influential was Jewish culture in Europe at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century? How much did it change European life?

Essay Topic 3

Choose one of the following and discuss how it affects the tone of the stories and helps to express character and theme.

1. Setting

2. Point of view

3. Structure

4. Language

(see the answer keys)

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