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. What is remarkable about Rifka's appearance as as result of her illness?

2. What is Rifka wearing as she arrives in America?

3. What does Rifka worry about while on board the ship?

4. When does Rifka finally reach America?

5. Who is the girl who Rifka plays with in the park across the street from the house?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are some of the foods that Rifka comes to enjoy in Antwerp?

2. Where does Rifka stay when she goes to Belgium?

3. How does Rifka prepare herself for going to America?

4. Who administers Rifka's treatments in Antwerp and what else does this person teach Rifka?

5. What can Rifka see from her bedroom window in Antwerp?

6. What does Rifka save up for to have specially made for herself?

7. What does Rifka's brief friendship with Pieter mean, and how is she able to move on past his death?

8. What does this section of the book show about Rifka's burgeoning maturity?

9. What excites Rifka about news in a letter from her parents?

10. Who is the young sailor Rifka meets on board the ship?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Letters from Rifka" is a letter-based novel. Explain the concept of what a letter-based novel is and cite examples that support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Write a character sketch of Rifka. Be sure to include both physical and emotional characteristics as well as personal motivations, fears, etc.

Essay Topic 3

The author used more than one iteration on the theme of loss. Identify at least two examples about loss in the book and then explain why the examples support the theme.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 659 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample