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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. Who takes Anton home at the end of the First Episode?

2. What happens to Anton's escort on the way to Amsterdam?

3. In which city is Anton living during the Second Episode?

4. Why does Peter never leave the Steenwijk house?

5. Who throws the keys of the Steenwijk house into the darkness?

Short Essay Questions

1. In the First Episode, why does Anton not jump out of the truck when the convoy is attacked?

2. Why does Mrs. Beumer believe that Anton's mother was shot?

3. In the Second Episode, why does Anton leave the birthday party early?

4. What are the guests talking about at the birthday party in the Second Episode?

5. What happens to Anton the morning after the shooting?

6. What do the German soldiers do to Anton's home Carefree?

7. Why is the birthday party in the Second Episode significant?

8. After the liberation, how does Anton find out whether his parents are dead or alive?

9. What are the similarities between the author Harry Mulisch and the character Anton?

10. Why does Anton not know about the memorial to the Resistance hostages until Mrs. Beumer tells him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The issue of guilt is a theme throughout "The Assault". Several people could be accused of contributing to the death of Anton's parents. Consider the following characters and defend why or why not you consider that person guilty of Mr. and Mrs. Steenwijk's death: the German soldiers, Cor Takes, Fake Ploeg, Mr. and Mrs. Steenwijk.

Essay Topic 2

Had the body of Fake Ploeg not been moved in front of Anton's house, his parents would not have been killed. Describe what probably would have happened in the following situations.

1) The body is left in front of the Kortewegs.

2) The body is moved in front of the Aartses.

Essay Topic 3

Fake Ploeg and the Steenwijks are not the only ones who lose their lives in "The Assault". Cite two other characters who die as a result of the assault and answer when, how, and why their deaths occur.

(see the answer keys)

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