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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. Why did Levi's Kapo disappear?

2. What does Levi think about power?

3. What predominant emotion did survivors feel at Liberation as depicted in literature and in the movies?

4. Who was Hans Biebow in relation to Chaim Rumkowski?

5. At what point did Hitler begin denying the truth?

Short Essay Questions

1. While clearing rubble, Levi finds a spigot with fresh water. Why was this such a big deal?

2. Why did survivors not feel the happiness at liberation that is portrayed in literature and movies?

3. What is "willed ignorance?"

4. According to Levi, which memories seem to be universal?

5. Explain the theory of "incommunicability."

6. Why does Levi argue that survivors should not feel guilt?

7. What is Primo Levi's theory about judging any people associated with the lagers?

8. Briefly describe the Nazi death camp system.

9. What did the Nazis hope as the tide of war turned in 1942?

10. What does Levi consider to be his mission and why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The lagers were concentration and death camps established by the Nazis so they could have slaves and exterminate the Jews. Why were the Nazis fearful that the rest of the world would learn about the lagers? What did they have to hide when Hitler's rhetoric about riding Germany of Jews was so clear?

Essay Topic 2

What would you have done if you were recruited to be a sonderkommando? How do you think you would have handled being in that situation?

Essay Topic 3

Many survivors, Levi included, tell their stories so that the world can learn from their experience. We know that genocide has happened since World War II in different parts of the world. Analyze the extent to which you think hearing survivors' stories helps prevent another atrocity.

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