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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 Molina offer to fix for Valentin?

2. How many men have been killed according to information Valentin receives?

3. Which character in this story is a Marxist revolutionary?

4. With whom does Leni meet to help the Germans?

5. What happens to Leni as a result of #47?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the son feel guilty during the race car driver story?

2. Who are some of the old friends and family Molina contacts once he is out of the prison?

3. Who does Molina meet with at the beginning of the chapter?

4. Why does Valentin say he avoids the pleasures of the flesh?

5. What does Molina suggest in order to make the Warden's suggestion all the more realistic?

6. What happens when Valentin has a bad attack of diarrhea?

7. What is the setting of the new movie Molina wants to share with Valentin?

8. What does the letter Valentin receives reveal to him?

9. What is the man's parents' reaction to his new relationship?

10. What does the servant girl do for the man who goes off to war?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

While the idea of escapism is rampant in this story, Valentin has different rules for himself in terms of what he can and cannot do.

Part 1: List the personal rules Valentin has for himself from the beginning of the story.

Part 2: Why does Valentin want to go to the infirmary when he is ill?

Part 3: Does Valentin's internal rule set change as the story progresses? If so, how? If not, why not?

Essay Topic 2

Valentin is a Marxist revolutionary, a bit of a traitor for his time, but this role is not one that is unique. Very often, authors use people who are revolutionaries to show the reader someone who is colorful and someone who can be feared and admired.

Part 1: How does the reader know of Valentin's political leanings in this story?

Part 2: Does Valentin seem to be a strong supporter of his beliefs? Support your answer.

Part 3: What are Molina's political beliefs? What does this say about Molina?

Essay Topic 3

In the end, it seems Molina and Valentin switch their original roles in order to become better men for each other.

Part 1: Describe the character of Molina at the beginning of the story. What does he believe in?

Part 2: Describe the character of Valentin at the beginning of the story. What does he believe in?

Part 3: What does Molina believe in the end of the story? What does Valentin do at the end of the story? How have they both changed?

(see the answer keys)

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