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. Why does Ginzburg consider herself lucky as far as her sentence?

2. What does Ginzburg write?

3. Why does Ginzburg believe she was lucky not to have signed anything?

4. Who does Ginzburg believe are dying off or being killed?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why does Vasily Petukhov decide to help Ginzburg survive?

3. What is Julia determined to do and what does she save for the day?

4. 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?

5. Upon what does Ginzburg reflect when she hears that Lenin's widow has died?

6. How does Ginzburg offer an act of forgiveness for the man who labeled Ginzburg a terrorist?

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

8. Who teaches the new prisoners how to fake their lumber quota?

9. Why does Ginzburg waken one day to find Krivitsky standing over her?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in Journey Into the Whirlwind.

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of Journey Into the Whirlwind. How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of Journey Into the Whirlwind. How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of oppression in Journey Into the Whirlwind. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with oppression? Why? What are some symbols of oppression? What events demonstrate oppression? What do the major people think of oppression?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of courage in Journey Into the Whirlwind. Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess courage? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of humanity in Journey Into the Whirlwind. Why are some people not considered human by the author? What is considered humane in Journey Into the Whirlwind? What evidence is there of inhumanity? How do the people react to inhumanity?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,095 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample