Read the novel Night by Elie Wiesel.
You may find this book in the public library. Ask the librarian
to assist you in finding it or you may purchase on line or at a
book store.
Preview the questions in this packet prior to
reading. Make sure you answer the questions in
complete sentences.
Night Questions and Vocabulary/ Chapter 1-2 (pages 3-28)
Directions: Preview these questions before you begin reading the book. Allow these questions to FOCUS
your reading. Answer all questions in COMPLETE SENTENCES. Answers in incomplete sentences will earn
HALF CREDIT.
Vocabulary: Look up each of the following words in the dictionary or dictionary.com.
The page numbers for these words might be different depending on the book edition.
Penury (pg.1):
Exterminate (pg.8):
Talmud (pg.1):
Disquieting (pg.9):
Insinuate (pg.7):
Delusion (pg.12):
Rescind (pg.15):
Gestapo (pg.13):
Questions:
1. Why does Wiesel focus so much on Moishe the Beadle in Chapter 1? Explain fully.
2. Why were the Kahns so happy about receiving the box of chocolates? Explain fully.
3. Identify and explain the type of figurative language used in this sentence:
“On the seventh day of Passover, the curtain finally rose: the Germans arrested the leaders of the Jewish
community.” (10)
4. What does the following line mean? “The ghetto was ruled by neither German nor Jew; it was ruled by
delusion.” (12)
5. Why is Mrs. Schachter important in chapter 2? Explain fully.
Night by Elie Wiesel: Chapters 3 and 4
Look Fors: As you read chapters 3 and 4 pay attention for the following things.
Symbols Continue to pay attention to night references and how Elie begins to change.
Figurative language – pay attention to how Elie uses language to add to the meaning of the text.
Questions: Answer questions in complete sentences. You must explain your answers and
use examples for the test. Make sure you answer all parts of the questions.
1. During the selection process after arriving at Birkenau why do Elie and his father lie about their ages?
How does what they witness affect Elie’s faith?
2. What effect does it have on the prisoners to have their things taken away and to be given other items?
How do you think it impacts how they feel about themselves?
3. Describe Elie’s first night at the camp? Pay attention to his description of the first night and when
morning comes. How has he changed in one single night?
4.
How does Elie feel when he sees his father being beaten? Why does he feel this way? What does his
reaction suggest about how the camp is affecting him?
5. After the execution of the youth from Warsaw, Elie reports: “I remember that I found the soup
excellent that evening…” How do you think Elie wants that sentence to be understood? How does he
seem to feel about his enjoyment of the soup? Do you think Elie could truly enjoy the soup under the
circumstances?
6. What does it mean to you that the soup tasted like corpses?
7. Why do you think the soup tastes excellent after one execution, but tastes like corpses after the other?
What was the difference between executions?
8. Write down three examples of figurative language from chapters 3 and 4 that stood out to you.( Each
example needs to be a different type of figurative language.) How did these examples add to your
understanding of Elie story?
Example 1:
Type of Figurative Language:
Explanation:
__________________________________________________________________________________
Example 2:
Type of Figurative Language:
Explanation:
___________________________________________________________________________________
Example 3:
Type of Figurative Language:
Explanation:
Night by Elie Wiesel: Chapters 5 through 9
Look Fors: As you read chapters 5 through 9 pay attention for the following things.
Symbols Continue to pay attention to night references and how they relate to theme.
Relationships: The different relationships between Elie and his father.
Figurative language – pay attention to how Elie uses language to add to the meaning of the text. (Imagery,
juxtaposition, irony)
Elie and his father's relationship: List 2 -3 father-son relationships that Elie includes in night
and briefly describe the effect each has on Elie.
Relationship
EX. Elie and his father have a very strong
relationship in the beginning.
Effect
EX. Elie looks up to his father because he is a
respected member of the Jewish community. It is
not a sentimental relationship, but rather one of
respect.
1.
2.
3.
Questions: Answer questions in complete sentences. You must explain your answers and use examples for
the test. Make sure you answer all parts of the questions.
1. Based on the examples you gave in the graphic organizer (on page 1), what does imprisonment and
threat of death do to the relationships between father and son?
2. What important holidays do the prisoners observe and how does celebrating these holidays make Elie
feel?
3. Describe Akiba Drumer. What effect does his fate have on those who know him?
4. What has Juliek brought with him from Buna to Gleiwitz and how does he use this possession? What
happens to him afterward? What effect do Juliek’s actions have on Elie and the other prisoners?
5. What happens when the Germans throw bread to the prisoners on the train? What does this suggest
about the prisoners’ frame of mind/mindset?
6. During the long march to Gleiwitz, death begins to sound appealing to Elie. What keeps him going?
7. How does Elie’s father die? Describe Elie’s conflicted feelings about his father’s death. Why does he
have these feelings?
8. Describe the book’s last image (visual created by words). Why do you think Elie chose to end with that
image?
9.
What images from the book have particularly affected you and stayed in your mind?
10. Elie reports that, after Buchenwald was liberated, the prisoners had no thoughts of revenge. Does this
surprise you? Why or why not?