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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. What does Mr. Schneider tell the sales girl the boys can have?

2. Why does the Nazi demand that Friedrich and the narrator leave?

3. What does Friedrich's father ask him?

4. With what does Friedrich greet a man outside the Meyer department store?

5. When is the narrator born?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the narrator's father do that is equally as courageous as what his son does in the last chapter?

2. What is the landlord's reason for telling the Schneiders they have to vacate and does the reason seem fair?

3. Describe the grandfather's visit to the narrator's household.

4. What is ominous about the image of Herr Schneider coming down the street and the news he brings?

5. Describe how the window is broken. Do you think the narrator shows courage in taking responsibility for breaking the window or is lying never acceptable?

6. Why do you think the narrator is so distracted?

7. How does Friedrich's relationship with his mother contrast to that of the narrator's relationship with his mother?

8. Summarize what the teacher says about Jewish history.

9. What does this scene about the broken window portend?

10. Describe the first encounter the narrator remembers between him and Friedrich.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the chapter titled, "The Hearing," the Judge tells Resch's attorney he sees no legal ground for evicting the Schneiders. the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Research pre-WWII Germany and learn about the legal, political and human resistance to Hitler's growing repression and control of Germany.

2. How much resistance is offered? Who offered the most--religious institutions? Social institutions? Political groups?

3. How do those groups oppose Hitler? Protests? Legal injunctions? Elections?

4. Why do you think those groups/individuals fail to halt Hitler's advance to power?

Essay Topic 2

In the chapter titled "In the Department Store," after the boys have talked with Herr Schneider for a few minutes, and Schneider no longer smiles as he turns and waves. Answer the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. About what do the two boys and Herr Schneider?

2. What do you think is disturbing to Herr Schneider about the conversation?

3. What do you think motivates the narrator's father to join the Nazi party? Do you think he should join? Why or why not?

4. Do you think the narrator's father had any viable choice to do otherwise than join the party?

Essay Topic 3

The first section determines the action takes place somewhere in Germany after World War I, when the victorious Allies are taking economic vengeance on the losers. Choose one of the following questions in a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. What is the situation like in Germany post WWI? Give examples of the economic and political conditions.

2. Many say Hitler's rise to power is a direct result of how Germany is treated in the war. Learn more about this and give your opinion.

3. How could the Allied powers have done things differently to help Germany recover in such a way that it does not set up an opening for the type of situation that Hitler creates?

(see the answer keys)

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