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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. Who says "the bruises go away, and so does how you hate, and so does the feeling that everything you receive in life is something you have earned" (68)?

2. Who says "I mount the autobus for an hour to work all day doing things I hate. You want to know why? It is for you . . . One day you will do things for me that you hate. That is what it means to be a family" (2)?

3. What ailment does Grandfather claim to have?

4. Who claims that it was Trachim who drove into the river?

5. In the "Letter Dated 28 October 1997," what does Alex say that he catches his grandfather doing?

Short Essay Questions

1. What ailment does Grandfather claim to have and why? How do you know he is lying?

2. Describe Brod and her relationship with the townspeople.

3. What clues tell the reader that Brod is having a vision of the future in "Recurrent Secrets, 1791-1943"?

4. Sofiowka claims that the twin girls did not see anything. Do you believe him? Explain your position.

5. Is Sofiowka a reliable character? How do you know? Give details from the story.

6. Alex compares his father's abuse to the search for Augustine. In what ways are they similar?

7. Describe Yankel's internal and external characteristics.

8. Why does Alex agree to go to Lutsk? Use the book to aid in your response.

9. What types of things does Yankel write in order to remember who he is? Why does he write about these memories?

10. By the end of "The Very Rigid Search," Alex has yelled at Jonathan twice. Describe these incidents. What is significant about these outbursts?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast the characters of Alex and Jonathan. Think about their internal and external characteristics. Compare their approach to situations and their thoughts about the world. Also, compare their writing styles and purpose in writing.

Essay Topic 2

The title Everything is Illuminated, tells that all things come to light. In the story, many truths come to light and each have different effects. Are some truths better left unsaid or should truth always be sought out? Write a five paragraph essay discussing this concept. Reference the novel to support your assertions.

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the novel, there is a theme of responsibility. Every man or woman is somehow responsible for their child's actions. Discuss the concept of a father/mother's responsibility for the their child's actions. Is this true? Give examples from Foer's novel and provide examples from your own life that may show responsibility in family relationships or the lack thereof.

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