Night: Chapter 1

Which of the following alarming events occurred but were largely ignored by the Jews of Sighet before they were forced into ghettos? Choose ALL that apply.

• Moishe told them of the horrors that happened to him in the Galacian forest

• German Army vehicles arrived in Sighet

• Jewish homes were bombed by the German army during Passover

• News reports announced that the Auschwitz death camp had opened in Poland.

• Antisemitic acts—destruction of Jewish stores and synagogues— were taking place in parts of Europe

What does Wiesel mean when he says that the ghettos were “ruled by delusion”?

• The Jews were being ruled by the Nazis’ delusion that Jews were inferior.

• Germany was being ruled by a cruel, barbaric, delusional dictator: Hitler

• The Jews in the ghetto remained delusionally optimistic despite overwhelming evidence of persecution.

• The Jews in the ghetto were deluded by the Nazis into thinking they would be better off once they were released back to their homes.

What is the irony of the Jews feeling “joy” as they were deported from the ghettos?

• The experience they are living through is anything but joyful.

• They are joyful to be getting out from under the blazing sun but what they will endure will be far worse.

• They continue feel hope in what is clearly a hopeless situation.

• All of the above

Which of the following selections describe opportunities missed by Elie and his family in escaping the Nazis in chapter 1? Choose ALL that apply.

• Moishe returns to warn them about his experience with the transport killings so that they can prepare for escape, but they don’t listen.

• Elie asks his father to sell everything and move to Palestine while it is still possible, but his father says he is too old

• Before being deported from the ghetto, a former maid offers them a hiding place, but Elie’s father refuses, saying he doesn’t want to be separated.

• A German officer secretly hands Elie’s parents a note explaining their soon-to-be fate in the concentration camps, but they don’t believe it.

• While in the ghetto, a Hungarian inspector knocks on their window to warn them of the oncoming dangers, but they do not get the message in time.

Which of the following statements BEST represent an emerging theme from chapter 1?

• The Jews of Sighet were persecuted for no other reason than prejudice.

• Hope can be both a blessing and a curse.

• Denial.

• Why do good people do bad things?

Which of the following choices BEST describes Elie at the beginning of the story?

• He is clumsy and physically fragile.

• He is disappointed with his father and family in general.

• He is deeply spiritual and religious.

• His education is his top priority.

Which of the following examples from the text BEST supports your response to the previous question?

• “Physically he was awkward as a clown. His waiflike shyness made people laugh.”

• “My father was a cultured man, rather unsentimental.”

• “By day I studied the Talmud and by night I would run to the synagogue to weep over the destruction of the Temple.”

• “First you must study the basic subjects, those you are able to comprehend.”

Which of the following selections BEST describe the relationship between Elie and his father at the beginning of the story?

• They are very close; Elie views his father as his ultimate guide and mentor.

• They are close; Elie and his father have a lot in common and enjoy their time together.

• They are not very close; Elie’s father seems to care more about his community than his family relationships.

• They are not close at all; Elie resents his father’s distance and is angered by his foolish decisions.

Which of the following passages from the story BEST support your response to the previous question?

• “One day I asked my father to find me a master who could guide me in my studies of the Kabbalah.”

• “He rarely displayed his feelings, not even within his family, and was more involved with the welfare of others than with that of his own kin.”

• “He wanted to drive the idea of studying Kabbalah from my mind.”

• “Poor Father! Of what then did you die?”

How do the townspeople react to Moishe’s story about his horrific experience after being deported?

• They were terrified at first, but then got over it.

• They didn’t believe him.

• Many tried to escape after hearing his warning but were unable.

• All of the above.