Boy in the Striped Pajamas and Textual Evidence

What do the following lines from the excerpt most likely reveal about Shmuel?

• Shmuel is too busy to eat and is annoyed with Bruno for trying to distract him from his job.

• Shmuel is hungry but is afraid he will get into trouble if he stops polishing the glasses.

• Shmuel is envious of Bruno’s sandwich and is overwhelmed by the responsibilities he has been given.

• Shmuel is determined to win Lieutenant Kotler’s respect and feels he must complete his task of polishing glasses.

Which of the following is a central theme of the Boy in the Striped Pajamas?

• Friends react differently to stressful situations when playing together.

• Friendship has obstacles that must be overcome to form a close bond.

• Friendship can develop between people with different preferences.

• Friends can be unaware of an inequality within the relationship.

Based on the actions by Lieutenant Kotler in the excerpt, which inference can most likely be made about how he will act after he asks, “Do you know this boy, Bruno?”

• He will realize he has been cruel to Shmuel and Bruno.

• He will get angrier with Shmuel for being Bruno’s friend.

• He will apologize to Shmuel and Bruno for frightening them.

• He will let Shmuel stop polishing the glasses to play with Bruno.

How does the author use the innocence of Bruno to comment on the theme of ignorance versus knowledge?

• By showing Bruno’s lack of understanding of his father’s job

• By depicting Bruno as well-educated about the war

• By illustrating Bruno’s disinterest in learning about his surroundings

• By having Bruno teach Shmuel about the outside world

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DOK Level 2: Skill/Concept

Analyze how the character of Shmuel serves as a contrast to Bruno. What aspect of Shmuel’s life most significantly highlights this contrast?

• Shmuel’s knowledge about the outside world

• Shmuel’s experiences in the concentration camp

• Shmuel’s aspirations to become a soldier

• Shmuel’s family background in academia

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

In what way does the historical setting of the Holocaust impact the plot development of "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas"?

• It provides a backdrop for a tale of fantasy and adventure.

• It intensifies the tragic elements of the friendship between Bruno and Shmuel.

• It leads to a resolution where all characters find happiness.

• It is irrelevant to the personal stories of the characters.

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DOK Level 2: Skill/Concept

How does the author use the setting of Auschwitz to enhance the themes of innocence and brutality in "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas"?

• By contrasting the peaceful home of Bruno with the harsh conditions of the camp

• By showing the technological advancements made during the war

• By focusing on the daily comforts enjoyed by Bruno’s family

• By ignoring the setting to focus on character interactions

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DOK Level 2: Skill/Concept

What does the reader most likely understand about the relationship between Bruno and Shmuel that Bruno does not understand?

• That Shmuel is a harder worker and is unwilling to play with Bruno.

• That Bruno’s words to Shmuel are thoughtless and inconsiderate.

• That Shmuel has visited Bruno’s home many times before.

• That Bruno has had more schooling than Shmuel has had.

What mostly causes Bruno to recognize that he and Shmuel are dissimilar?

• The kind of glasses they own.

• The type of food they eat.

• How they respond to orders.

• How their hands look.

Which piece of evidence shows that Bruno and Shmuel are dissimilar?

• “he saw sixty-four small glasses, the ones his Mother used…”

• “his hand appeared healthy and full of life.”

• “his eyes were focused on the chicken and stuffing…”

• “He looked towards Bruno, his eyes pleading…”