English Midterm Study Guide

1. Since Ajax displays hubris (excessive pride) and curses the gods, he ends up getting struck and killed by Poseidon.


2. To get out of Polyphemus’s cave, Odysseus and his men do the following:

  1. Get Polyphemus drunk

  2. Stabbed him in his eye and ran out attached to the rams. 


3. How does Athena help Odysseus? Give two examples below.

  1. Giving him multiple chances at life.

  2. Transform him into an elderly man to sneak his way back home. 


4. Who is Tiresias, and what does he tell Odysseus in the Land of the Dead?

Tiresias is the great seer of the Land of the Dead. 


5. What does Eurycleia do that emphasizes his loyalty to Odysseus?

Eurycleia emphasizes her loyalty to Odysseus by telling him which of the housemaids are disloyal. 


6. Why do you think Antinoos is the first suitor to get killed, and what point do you think Homer is trying to make?

I think Antinoos was the first suitor to get killed because he has been the most greedy and ungrateful. Homer is trying to emphasize the idea of respect. 


7. How does Calypso feel about Odysseus?

Calypso is very much in love with Odysseus and does not want him to leave. 



8. Who is Poseidon, and how does he make Odysseus’s journey difficult?

Poseidon is the God of the sea and he makes Odysseus’s journey difficult by deflecting his raft. 


9. What does King Menelaus of Sparta represent?

King Menelaus represents hospitality by offering Odysseus a feast once he arrives. 


10. Describe Telemachus.

Telemachus is Odysseus’s son. He wants to go out and find his father despite the challenge. This makes him a very trustable and hardworking person. 


11. What does Penelope do that demonstrates his unwavering love for Odysseus?

Penelope demonstrates her unwavering loyalty and love for Odysseus because she refuses to remarry and waits for him to arrive home. 


12. Discuss two obstacles (there are many, but choose two) that Odysseus faces as he tries to make his journey home back to Ithaca.

Two obstacles that Odysseus faces are Polyphemus’s cave and his boat derailing once his men open the bag of wind. 

13. Describe Zayde’s life in Auschwitz, and mention his friendship with Josef.

Zayde’s life in Auschwitz was very traumatic and grueling. He was forced to work and was away from his family. His friendship with Josef, another musician, made it feel slightly more bearable. Once Josef saw his wife and child get sent to be killed, he followed along with them, walking to his death as well.  


14. Pick four important passages from Broken Strings and include the page number. Type each passage in the boxes below.

“What are you doing with that? Where did you find those things?” I just didn’t know those were there…were still there.” (Walters and Kacer 35)

“But if I thought life was difficult before, I realized that it was a piece of cake compared to what happened after the invasion. I have no idea how we managed to survive over the next few years. All around us, our Jewish friends and relatives were being arrested and sent to ghettos and concentration camps. We never heard from them again.” (Walters and Kacer 64)

“There is still so much I have to tell you. Will you come again? To hear more of my story? I think I’m ready to tell it.” (Walters and Kacer 169 )

“You have given me your attention, your energy, your love…and you have given me something even more important. You have given me back music.” (Walters and Kacer 258)


15. Who is Josef?

Josef is a clarinet player that Zayde met in Auschwitz who marched to his death. 


16. Why does Zayde show Ben Morgan his number tattoo?

Zayde showed Ben his number tattoo because he wants him to know how true his past was. 


17. Why is Zayde reluctant to share details about his past, especially details about what happened to him during World War II/in Auschwitz?

Zayde is reluctant because he does not want to relive those moments by telling them due to how traumatic it was. 


18. Why does Ms. Ramsey yell at the theater crew? Who confronts Ms. Ramsey about her behavior?

Ms. Ramsey yells at the theater crew because they aren’t following stage directions. Shirli is the one to confront Ms. Ramsey and tell her that overreacting in such a way does nothing but hurt the team. 


19. Discuss Zayde’s friendship with Amir.

Amir helps Zayde once he falls and is injured on the sidewalk. In return, Zayde helps Amir with the books in his shop. 


20. What is the Auschwitz Orchestra, and how does this impact Zayde’s life?

The Auschwitz Orchestra were the people who played the death marching anthem. This impacts Zayde’s life because he took part of the orchestra. 


21. Describe the rivalry between Shirli and Mindi.

Mindi got the role that Shirli wanted and she liked Ben.


22. Why does Shirli mention 9/11?

Shirli mentions 9/11 because it was traumatic and very recent. 

1. Why does Liesel’s mother give her up for adoption?

Liesel’s mother gives up Liesel for adoption because the war caused her to be in poverty. 

2. Who teaches Liesel to read? How does this relationship positively impact Liesel’s life?

Hans teaches Liesel to read. This strengthens their relationship because it gives them something to bond over. 


3. Describe Liesel’s initial reaction to living in the Hubermann household.

She disliked the mom and liked the dad. She is reluctant to enter the household. 


4. Discuss Liesel’s friendship with Max.

She would read books and tell Max about the weather and Max would keep her company and teach her words. 


5. What happens to Max’s family? Why does he get separated from his mother?

Max’s dad dies in the war. He got separated from his mother because the area was unsafe and there was only one train ticket.


6. Why does Mr. Hermann forbid Mrs. Hermann from discussing books with Liesel?

Mr. Hermann forbids the discussion of books because they are banned. 


7. What happens at the end of The Book Thief?

The street they live on gets bombed and everyone passes away besides Liesel. After, Max and Liesel reunite and Liesel lives until her 90s. 


8. What is the significance of having Death as the narrator in the movie The Book Thief?

The significance is because it gave the perspective on every life.


9. Describe Liesel and Rudy’s friendship.

Rudy and Liesel look out for each other.