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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. Where does Lemel put his second gift from Shlemel?

2. What do the Elders say caused the misfortune with all the gifts to Lemel?

3. What surprises Lemel about the Elders after he has a baby?

4. How does David think his father got lost?

5. How does the rooster get out of the house?

Short Essay Questions

1. What three things does Mrs. Shlemiel ask of her husband before she leaves for the market?

2. What does David do before releasing the devil's tail from his door?

3. Why do Shmelka's daughters refuse to get out of bed one day?

4. How does David feel while he is out in the storm?

5. What do the Elders say when they hear about what happened at Shlemiel's house?

6. How long has David's father been missing, and why did he leave in the first place?

7. What wakes Shlemiel up while his wife is away, and what does he do?

8. What do the Elders suggest when they hear of Lemel's misfortune with all of his gifts?

9. What surprising questions does an Elder ask after Lemel and Yenta have a baby?

10. How does a jar of chicken fat rip and stain Lemel's coat?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Despair is a common theme in these stories. Discuss the role of despair in the lives of Singer's characters.

Essay Topic 2

Friendship is a strong theme throughout the book. Where are some places that this theme appears, and how do the characters touched by it react? How do certain friendships change over the course of the book, and what causes these changes?

Essay Topic 3

Belonging and security are two themes in these stories. In which short stories are these more evident? Which characters are the most motivated by them?

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