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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 Moritz love best as a child?

2. What does the legend say would happen to the world if one of the Just Men were lacking?

3. When assigned the part of a Jew, what does Ernie refuse to do?

4. What keeps Ernie from success in committing suicide?

5. What does Benjamin call his wife?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Judith object to Mordecai telling stories to Ernie?

2. What does Ernie have in common with the German boy he meets when he runs away from home?

3. What causes Ernie to feel hatred for the first time?

4. How does Judith recognize Mordecai as a Just Man?

5. What does Herr Kremer mean when he says the child is descended from the man?

6. What does Ernie's act of stepping forward to protest the treatment of Frau Tuszynski cause Mordecai to do?

7. What is the role of the Lamed-Vov, the Just Men?

8. Why does Judith blame herself for the death of three of her sons?

9. How does the child Ernie come to feel that he is in charge of those around him?

10. Why is Jacob not consoled when Ernie promises to "spring" at the Hitler Youth if they bother the little boy?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author spends a large part of the book establishing a genealogy for Ernie that places him as the last of the Just Men. In your essay, select some of Ernie's ancestors and explain how the characteristics they demonstrated in their lifetimes are apparent in his actions.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay exploring the character and personality of Ernie. What motivates him as a child? As an adult? What does he want to do? Does he believe himself to be a Just Man? The author talks of the first death of Ernie. Are there more than one? More than two? Use specific examples from the story.

Essay Topic 3

There are moments in this story when Ernie is happy. In your essay, identify and explain the moments that cause him to briefly experience happiness. Do they make his life better or worse? Why do you think so?

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