WorksheetsTeaching History through Fiction and The Boy...Pajamas
Total questions: 36
Worksheet time: 19mins
Which novel do both the Point and the Counterpoint author rely on to support their claims?
Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
Hitler Youth
Refugee
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
The Point author's main claim is...
that teaching history through fiction is beneficial and The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is a perfect example of this
that teaching history through fiction is not beneficial and The Boy in the Striped Pajamas prove this
that The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is historically inaccurate
that The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is historically accurate, and therefore, is a wonderful book for children
What does the word inaccurate mean?
correct and true
incorrect or not true
biased and full of opinions
not biased and completely factual
What does the word beneficial mean?
full of lies
peaceful
helpful, valuable, or good
hurtful, harmful, and bad
Why is the following quote irrelevant to the claim that historical fiction is a great way to teach people about history, and John Boyne’s The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is an excellent example.
"It is interesting to note that Rainer has also reviewed Richard Linklater’s Boyhood. Boyhood is another child-centered movie."
because the quote is based on opinions and not facts
because the quote supports the opposite side's claim
because the quote supports the claim and proves it is true
because the quote does not support the claim or prove the claim is true
What facts do the Point and Counterpoint authors both agree on? Choose all that apply.
that The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is written to be a fable
that The Boy in the Striped Pajamas has sold more than 6 million copies worldwide
that historical fiction is a great way to teach children history
that the two young characters in The Boy in the Striped Pajamas would most likely have not had the opportunity to meet and visit at the fence
that John Boyne, the author of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, should not use the excuse of the book being a fable as a reason why he can distort history
What does the word distort mean in the following line?
"But that aside, the problem with Boyne’s premise is that writing a fable does not release him from an author’s obligation not to distort history."
allow readers to decide for themselves what is true
misrepresent, alter, or change
explain, clarify, or represent
forgive
Which of the following represents a counterclaim to the following claim?
Teaching history through fiction is good, and The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is an excellent example of this.
"By exploring the moral issues of the Holocaust through the eyes of two innocent young boys, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas accomplishes what should be important aims of both fiction and history: it moves people to care and to think."
"Critics of the novel and movie argue that both are historically inaccurate."
"Fables are not history. Fables are designed to explore moral lessons."
"Reviewer Kathryn Hughes, writing in the online edition of the Guardian newspaper, sums up the value of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas."
Why was the answer to question 9 a counterclaim to the given claim?
because it gave relevant evidence to support the claim
because it was a fact and not an opinion
because it proved that The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is a bad book for children to read
because it represented the opposite side's claim or position
Which of the following is relevant evidence to the following claim? Choose all that apply.
"Reviewers and readers alike praise the book."
Critics, like David Cesarani, argue that Bruno’s innocence is unrealistic.
Boyne notes on his website that the novel has sold more than 6 million copies worldwide.
In addition to reaching the top of the New York Times Best Seller list, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas has won many awards.
The premise of the story is the friendship between Bruno, the son of the German commandant at Auschwitz, and Shmuel, a Jewish boy imprisoned in the concentration camp.
Which word would best replace the word premise in the following line?
"The premise of the story is the friendship between Bruno, the son of the German commandant at Auschwitz, and Shmuel, a Jewish boy imprisoned in the concentration camp."
feeling
problem
written
basis
What does the word conundrum most likely mean in the following line from the text?
Film critic Peter Rainer notes in his online movie review for the Christian Science Monitor, “the great conundrum of the Holocaust is that it was perpetrated by human beings, not monsters. Few movies have rendered this puzzle so powerfully.”
problem, dilemma, or mystery
fact, truth, or reality
fearful or frightening
rule, principle, or law
Which of the following claims is not supported by relevant and sufficient evidence by the Point author?
Admittedly, some of the literary devices in The Boy in the Striped Pajamas might require readers familiar with the Holocaust to accept some historical inaccuracy (Brown).
Reviewers have offered equally high praise for the movie.
Boyne’s main purpose in writing this novel was not to teach young readers facts about the Holocaust. His main goal was to present a story that would move them to want to learn more about the subject (Boyne).
More serious complaints involve what Tripp calls “shying away from honest presentation of the period.”
What does the word manipulating mean in the following line from the Counterpoint's argument?
By manipulating the historical realities of the Holocaust for the sake of a good story, Boyne runs the risk of giving readers a distorted view of the Holocaust.
accidentally relaying the events of history in an incorrect way
formulating a plan
changing in an unfair way for one's own advantage
telling the truth
Which of the following represents a rebuttal to the following counterclaim?
"On the teachinghistory.org website, Tripp notes that, “fiction can make history matter—make it irresistible—to young readers” (Tripp, “Vitamins in Chocolate Cake”)."
Personally, I don’t like fables.
"Yet Tripp, an author of youth fiction herself, also knows the dangers."
My understanding of the term “fable” is a piece of fiction that contains a moral.
This is a serious charge, especially given that, according to Boyne’s website, the book has sold more than 6 million copies worldwide and has been made into a movie (Boyne).
Which quote represents relevant evidence for the claim that Boyne cannot distort history just because he calls g=his novel a fable.
As critic David Cesarani notes, “except for a few peculiar cases there were no Jewish children in the extermination camps: they were gassed on arrival” (Cesarani). Thus the very premise of the story is, in Cesarani’s words, “utterly implausible."
I hope that the moral at the center of THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PAJAMAS is self-evident to readers (Burling).
Boyne’s bias rests not in his personal beliefs about the Holocaust, but in his view of storytelling.
No one would consider Valerie Tripp an opponent of using fiction to teach history.
What does the word implausible mean in the following line from the text?
As critic David Cesarani notes, “except for a few peculiar cases there were no Jewish children in the extermination camps: they were gassed on arrival” (Cesarani). Thus the very premise of the story is, in Cesarani’s words, “utterly implausible. ”
not likely, improbable
made up, fictitious
honest, straightforward
disturbing, distressing
Which claim does the following quote support?
Guards patrolled the fences and prisoners did not have the freedom to move about at will.
Shmuel would not have been in the concentration camp at all.
Bruno's parents would never have allowed there son to know about the concentration camp.
Shmuel and Bruno would not have had the opportunity to meet repeatedly.
Shmuel would not have been asked to clean glasses at Bruno's house.
Which of the following TWO choices represents conflicting evidence to the Point's claim that "fiction, including stories, novels, and films, is a great way to teach people about history, and John Boyne’s The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is an excellent example."
As Valerie Tripp points out in her blog entry on the teachinghistory.org website, “fiction can make history matter—make it irresistible—to young readers” (Tripp).
By approaching the Holocaust through the eyes of two nine-year-old boys, the book provides a unique perspective on this dark and horrible chapter in history.
A nine-year-old boy in wartime Germany would clearly understand the purpose of the camp and why Shmuel was there. This would be particularly true for the son of a high-ranking Nazi (Cesarani).
For example, as Cesarani points out, the fences of the camps “were heavily guarded and frequently electrified” (Cesarani). Thus it is doubtful that Bruno and Shmuel could sit for hours and talk.
How does the author of the Point essay acknowledge and distinguish his view from the opposing side's view?
by admitting that the novel may be historically inaccurate but then pointing out that because the novel is a fable, it is meant to teach a moral and not history
by admitting that the novel is historically inaccurate but then providing evidence that most historical novels are historically incorrect
by contrasting the views of historians with the views of admirers of the book
by comparing the timeline of the Holocaust to the timeline of the novel
Which of the following pieces of evidence does the Point author rely on to distinguish his view from the counterclaim's view?
For younger readers, she argues, the story’s slow release of details “becomes an education in real time of the horrors of ‘Out-With,’ known to the grown-ups as Auschwitz” (Hughes).
As Claudia Moscovici notes in her literature blog, the subtitle clearly indicates that The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is a fable. “By its own admission,” Moscovici argues, “this novel doesn’t propose to offer a realistic historical account of the Holocaust” (Moscovici).
The goal of good fiction should be to move people. It should move them to laugh, to cry, to care, to think—or else why should they bother reading it?
She offers this warning to teachers: “When choosing historical fiction to use in the classroom as a way to interest students in history, I’d say: First, do no harm.
What is the Point author’s point of view toward using fiction to teach history?
cautionary
regretful
encouraging
skeptical
Which of the following quotes from the Point author’s essay support your answer to the previous question?
The premise of the story is the friendship between Bruno, the son of the German commandant at Auschwitz, and Shmuel, a Jewish boy imprisoned in the concentration camp.
Film critic Peter Rainer notes in his online movie review for the Christian Science Monitor, “the great conundrum of the Holocaust is that it was perpetrated by human beings, not monsters.
By exploring the moral issues of the Holocaust through the eyes of two innocent young boys, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas accomplishes what should be important aims of both fiction and history: it moves people to care and to think.
Thus it is doubtful that Bruno and Shmuel could sit for hours and talk.
What is the Counterpoint author's attitude about historical fiction?
optimistic
cautionary
celebratory
apathetic
Which TWO quotes support your answer to the previous question?
The danger of “serving the story” over serving the facts is that young readers will not know enough Holocaust history to understand what has been changed.
Teachers are wise to keep Valerie Tripp’s warning in mind when presenting the book: “What is not said is as misleading as what is said!”
My understanding of the term “fable” is a piece of fiction that contains a moral.
Reviewer Kathryn Hughes, writing in the online edition of the Guardian newspaper, sums up the value of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.
In the excerpt from The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, Bruno had never noticed how Shmuel's fingers were like "dying twigs." Why do Shmuel's and Bruno's hands look so different?
Shmuel has a disease that makes him extremely skinny
Shmuel is malnourished from being at a concentration camp
Shmuel actually has an artificial hand
none of the above
How does the simile in the following line impact the tone?
As if to prove something that Bruno already knew, he held his hand out and Bruno couldn’t help but notice that it was like the hand of the pretend skeleton that Herr Liszt had brought with him one day when they were studying human anatomy.
it creates a humorous tone
it creates a tranquil tone
it creates an optimistic tone
it creates a mournful tone
What can the reader infer based on the following excerpt from The Boy in the Striped Pajamas?
“I don’t know,” said Shmuel. “It used to look more like yours, but I didn’t notice it changing. Everyone on my side of the fence looks like this now.”
that everyone on his side of the fence is also starving
that Shmuel is very forgetful
that Shmuel is offended by Bruno's question
that the people on the other side of the fence must be related to Shmuel
What does the word rooting mean in the following line from the passage?
Not wanting to look at Shmuel’s hand any longer, Bruno turned round and opened the refrigerator, rooting about inside it for something to eat.
playing
searching
singing
borrowing
What does the word "despair" most likely mean in the following line?
“I’m just supposed to be cleaning the glasses,” he said, looking at the bowl of water in front of him in despair and then looking back at the slices of chicken that Bruno held out to him.
soapy
admiration
enjoyment
hopelessness
What can the reader infer from the following line in the text?
Shmuel nodded his head quickly and started to tremble a little as he picked up another napkin and dipped it in the water.
that Shmuel feels important because he was asked to clean the glasses
that Bruno should offer to help Shmuel clean the glasses
that Shmuel feels afraid when Lt. Kotler appears
that Shmuel is confident that he is cleaning the glasses well
Which line illustrates that Bruno is surprised to see Shmuel in his kitchen?
The two boys looked down at the same time and the difference was easy to see.
Bruno could barely believe his eyes.
Shmuel looked up and his terrified face broke into a broad smile when he saw his friend standing there.
“I’m very glad you’re here,” he said, speaking with his mouth full.
What can the reader infer from the following line?
“Shmuel! Here!” said Bruno, stepping forward and putting the slices in his friend’s hand. “Just eat them. There’s lots left for our tea—you don’t have to worry about that.”
that Shmuel is not hungry and is getting annoyed with Bruno
that Bruno wants Shmuel to get in trouble
that Bruno does not realize that Shmuel doesn't want the food because he is afraid of Lieutenant Kotler
that Bruno is lying about there being enough food for their tea
Which word would best replace the word "pleading" in the following line?
"He looked towards Bruno, his eyes pleading for help."
begging
seeing
crying
running
What is the shift in tone in the following paragraph?
Bruno smiled back and he was about to offer him some more food, but just at that moment Lieutenant Kotler reappeared in the kitchen and stopped when he saw the two boys talking. Bruno stared at him, feeling the atmosphere grow heavy, sensing Shmuel’s shoulders sinking down as he reached for another glass and began polishing. Ignoring Bruno, Lieutenant Kotler marched over to Shmuel and glared at him.
the tone becomes more lighthearted
the tone becomes more encouraging and hopeful
the tone becomes more serious and tense
the tone becomes more nostalgic
What provokes Bruno to lie to Lieutenant Kotler about not knowing Shmuel?
Bruno is angry with Shmuel for not eating
Bruno's father walks into the room
Bruno is afraid of Kotler
Shmuel told Bruno to lie about their friendship
