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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In "Letter Dated 26 January 1998," what does Alex tell about Grandfather?
(a) Grandfather has found the money to look for Augustine.
(b) Grandfather found Augustine.
(c) Grandfather has fought with Father.
(d) Grandfather killed himself.

2. What is done with the Kolker's body after he dies?
(a) He is thrown into the Brod River.
(b) He is buried in the garden.
(c) Brod burns the house down with his body in it.
(d) He is bronzed and put in the town square.

3. In "What We Saw When We Saw Trachimbrod or Falling in Love," who says "I don't want to hear any more?"
(a) Jonathan.
(b) Alex.
(c) Grandfather.
(d) The old woman.

4. Who has a ticket for the same seat at the theater as Safran?
(a) Lista P.
(b) Rose.
(c) Zosha.
(d) The Gypsy girl.

5. Who did Grandfather "murder?"
(a) Anna.
(b) Herschel.
(c) Safran.
(d) Father.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does everyone read from the Book of Antecedents?

2. In "Falling in Love," who does Alex think he has found?

3. Who is the bridegroom that the men are waiting for in "The Dial, 1941-1804-1941"?

4. What does Alex admit to Jonathan in the "Letter Dated 17 November 1997"?

5. What do Grandfather, Alex, and Jonathan have for dinner after they leave Lista?

Short Essay Questions

1. Although the novel does not say it directly, based on what is written in the Book of Antecedents, what can we assume Brod asked the Kolker to do? Why would she ask this?

2. What does Jonathan tell Alex about his grandmother while waiting for Grandfather and the old woman? What do Jonathan and his grandmother have in common?

3. What is odd about Zosha's family home?

4. Alex has changed throughout the novel. Identify how he has changed by the time he writes "Letter Dated 24 December 1997." What do you think brought about the change?

5. How does the Kolker change in "The Dial, 1941-1804-1941"?

6. How does Alex feel about the truth in "Letter Dated 12 December 1997?"

7. Why does Alex send back the money that Jonathan sent him? Why is he angry?

8. Does the old woman in "Falling in Love" know Jonathan's grandfather? What does she tell Jonathan?

9. Is Jonathan a reliable narrator? Defend your response.

10. With everything that has happened to Jonathan, Alex, and Grandfather, even Grandfather goes through some significant changes. In "An Overture to Illumination," Grandfather makes the waitress apologize to Jonathan. Why? What is different about Grandfather? How and why has he changed?

(see the answer keys)

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