Chapter 1
Why was Moshe the Beadle expelled from Sighet?
He was a foreign Jew; all foreigners were expelled.
How were the Jews on the cattle car able to sit down?
By agreeing to take turns
What happened to Elie’s mother and younger sister?
They were separated from Elie and Mr. Wiesel and sent to the crematory.
When Elie is forced to go to the dentist, how is able to save his gold crown?
He tells the dentist he is sick
Why doesn’t Elie fast during Yom Kippur?
His father forbade him, and he had lost his faith in God and saw no reason to fast
When did the author first arrive at the concentration camp?
Spring 1944
Who is traveling with Madam Schachter?
Her 10 year old son
How does Elie react to his father being beaten?
He tries to avoid being noticed so that he is not beaten. He does not attempt to defend or help him.
How is Franek able to convince Elie to give up his gold crown?
He torments and beats Elie’s father because he can’t march in step.
When Elie’s father thinks he is about to be executed, what two things does he give to Elie?
Knife and spoon
For what does Moshe the Beadle pray?
That God will give him the strength to ask the right questions.
How do the other Jews try to get her to be quiet?
Beat and gag her
What lie do Elie and his father tell the SS officers when they arrive?
They lie about their ages.
Why were the three prisoners, including the sad-eyed angel, sentenced to death at the gallows?
They were smuggling arms.
Why does Elie have to have an operation?
His foot is swollen and without the operation his foot and leg may have needed amputation.
How did the Jews of Sighet react to Moshe’s miraculous escape/experience?
They do not want to listen to him. They say he has gone mad and only wants their pity.
What was the name of the very first camp at which Elie and his family arrived?
Birkenau-Auschwitz
What sight shakes Elie’s faith more than any other?
The burning of babies and children in the crematories
What is Elie promised in exchange for his shoes?
To be with his father
When the camp is evacuated, Elie and his father leave with the others. What happened to the prisoners who stayed behind in the hospital?
They were liberated by the Russians
Who and tried to convince the Wiesels to escape to her house?
Martha, a former servant
At what time do the Jews arrive at the camp?
Midnight
What was the inscription above the iron door at the camp?
Work is Liberty
How does Elie say his soup tastes the night the young boy is killed?
Like corpses
Describe the weather during the evacuation.
Snowing and cold