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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What belief about Jews did the author grow up with?
(a) That they were destined to marry only out of duty.
(b) That they were destined to be propertyless workers.
(c) That they were destined to be bankers.
(d) That they were destined to be leaders of the country.

2. What was the author's favorite school experience?
(a) Walking past the girls' bathroom.
(b) His weekly visits with the speech pathologist.
(c) Saying the pledge of allegiance.
(d) Visiting the assembly hall.

3. What does the author connect New York rush hour with from his childhood?
(a) The hour the town slept.
(b) The hour that moved the slowest.
(c) The hour before supper.
(d) The hour the women worked frantically.

4. Did the author's mother believe her son's generation would succeed?
(a) Yes.
(b) No.
(c) She thought that if they didn't follow the traditions, they would fail.
(d) She felt that Socialism would lead everyone to succeed.

5. The author preferred the movie house over the synagogue, why did he favor the movie house?
(a) He could escape his parents there.
(b) They sold popcorn and other wonderful treats.
(c) It was cool there during the summer, it was the only place that stayed cool.
(d) There was nothing there to remind him of Brownsville.

6. What did the big Italians sell and during what time?
(a) Roasted nuts during the winter.
(b) Watermelons during the summer.
(c) Baked apples during the fall.
(d) Yogurt during the spring.

7. What time of day is the mind's "grazing time?"
(a) Twilight.
(b) Bedtime.
(c) The time between dinner and bedtime in which only relaxing was done.
(d) Dinner time.

8. What drove the author's mother to work so hard?
(a) Loneliness.
(b) They needed the money.
(c) Duty to her husband.
(d) She felt the women in the neighborhood needed her.

9. What kind of dresses did Mrs. B wear?
(a) Plain, old fashioned dressses.
(b) Stiff Nun's habits.
(c) Ankle length flowery dresses.
(d) Billowing chiffon dresses.

10. What did the author always have in his hands when he was waiting fort the girl by the junkyard?
(a) His prayer book.
(b) His baseball mitt.
(c) His lucky penny.
(d) His little red books.

11. What is seltzer to the poor Jews?
(a) A luxury.
(b) Worse than their drinking water.
(c) Used as a medicine.
(d) Something only the wealthy could acquire.

12. The author didn't associate his school years with learning, what did he associate them with?
(a) Building good character.
(b) Avoiding the bullies who tortured him daily.
(c) Chasing the girls in the school yard.
(d) Proving the teachers wrong.

13. Where did the author run away from his father?
(a) The Abraham and Straus Store.
(b) Prospect Park.
(c) Grand Army Plaza.
(d) Atlantic Avenue.

14. What feelings does the author experience when he gets off the train?
(a) No feelings at all.
(b) Rage, dread and unexpected tenderness.
(c) Fear, loathing, and disgust.
(d) Hope, lightheartedness and joy.

15. How did the author secretly think of the synagogue?
(a) As a mean place.
(b) It was a happy place.
(c) He felt more comfortable there than he did at school.
(d) He thought it was haunted.

Short Answer Questions

1. The author likened his parents and himself to something rather simple. What did he liken them to?

2. What were the author's lasting feelings about his school years?

3. What did the author spend his school days staring at in fear and anxiety?

4. When was the Sabbath extra special for the author?

5. Where did the author think he lived as a child?

(see the answer keys)

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