View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. To what does Ginzburg attribute her inability to distinguish one day from the next in the following year?

2. What are Ginzburg and the other prisoners no longer permitted to do?

3. How long do Ginzburg's parents spend in prison?

4. In what month and year are Ginzburg and the others transferred?

5. In what format does Ginzburg write her memoir about her prison experiences?

Short Essay Questions

1. What small joy do Ginzburg and the other prisoners enjoy when the Black Maria is late?

2. What gives the prisoners a moment of happiness and how do they share their goods?

3. What solution do Julia and Ginzburg find to reading in low light?

4. What are some of the rules Ginzburg mentions as being cited on a paper hanging on the wall?

5. What does Ginzburg say about the ongoing political purges and how do some of the prisoners view the likely incarceration of some of those fallen under the most recent purges?

6. What happens when the Prison Governor comes to visit Ginzburg?

7. What happens that causes Julia and Ginzburg to eat their hoarded supply of sugar and bread?

8. What happens when Julia and Ginzburg see a flower in the courtyard?

9. What new rule is forced upon the prisoners and how do they react to the restriction?

10. Who is Marya Dogadkina and how is she described?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in Journey Into the Whirlwind. Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Ginzburg chooses the symbols he does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the memoir. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Ginzburg chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Ginzburg's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, clifthangers, deux ex machina, etc.), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Ginzburg use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

Essay Topic 2

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think Journey Into the Whirlwind is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

Essay Topic 3

Stalin's regime, in conjunction with the frailties of the Communist system, seek to stamp out even perceived opposition to their control. They fear a popular uprising, similar to the uprising they led years before against Czar Nicholas. And in order to maintain power, and continue to instill fear in their people, they continue to apply weight to the people. Apathetic and disinterested Communists are libeled for not denouncing their lesser fellow citizens.

1. Discuss why totalitarian governments are prone to worry about opposition. Use examples from Journey Into the Whirlwind and your own life to support your response.

2. Discuss the ways in which a government can maintain power by the use of fear. Use examples from Journey Into the Whirlwind and your own life to support your response.

3. Explain how requiring citizens to denounce other citizens created the actual situation that Stalin feared. Use examples from Journey Into the Whirlwind and your own life to support your response.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,183 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample