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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 Gretel go off in the woods on her own?

2. What was it that Father Poitr had to get out of the boxcar when he was enlisted?

3. Why is an extra place set at Magda's Christmas Eve dinner table?

4. What is Eindeutschung?

5. Why is Nelka concerned for Telek's apparent calm when she meets him in the village drawing water?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did the Brown Sister take the baby from Nelka?

2. What does Gretel light in the forest for Father Poitr?

3. What did Hansel get bullied into doing to show he was not afraid when he ventured into the village alone?

4. Hansel was in the woods on Christmas eve, what did he save from the Oberfuhrer?

5. What tragedy is stuck in Father Poitr's mind from his service in the war?

6. How does the story end?

7. Nelka swore she was not a gypsy and the Oberfuhrer was relieved, why?

8. What were the German soldiers transporting when the Russian partisans stumble upon them?

9. When it was stated that Gretel was mad during her inspection, what was going to be her fate at the age of 13?

10. What is the Oberfuhrer's ultimate goal in making the priest preach in this manner?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Gretel is not in her right mind, yet she is able to show Father Poitr that God is still present. Explain why the priest needed convincing, how Gretel helps, and discuss the implications.

Essay Topic 2

The story opens with a woman insisting two children are left on the the side of a road. Discuss the Stepmother's insistence to abandon the children in the forest. In what ways did it help? In what ways did it not help? Would you have done the same if you were in that situation?

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the novel, Magda repeats the phrase, "The wheel turns." Explain what she means by this and provide support for your explanation.

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This section contains 591 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample