Chapters 1-4
Who was Vladimir Lenin?
The first leader of the Soviet Union after the Russian Revolutionaries killed the king and his family.
Why is Hollywood a mighty weapon?
They produce a lot of fun films that all people love, and they can use them as propaganda.
Where did mom's special ballet dress come from?
She made it out of an old theater curtain
lay still on his tiny trampoline bed.
How were American Tourists different from Soviet citizens?
(Give at least 3 ways)
They dressed in bright colors.
They could talk loudly.
They could skip the line to the mausoleum.
They could travel to other countries.
Who is "Misha"?
Mihail Baryshikov the famous Soviet ballet dancer.
Why did Dad and Victor always push the furniture around?
To try to make more space in their room.
The pencil that Yevgeny used to draw his pictures
Why did Yevgeny think his mom used to be a ballerina?
The way she walked was very elegant and graceful.
She worked at the ballet academy.
Why did Evgeny feel guilty?
He thought his parents considered him a loser with no visible talent or skill.
Victor
To practice balance for his figure skating career.
What was the Iron Curtain?
A division (or border) between capitalist and communist countries. (east and west)
How did the people in the Kommunalka act around Blinov and why?
They whispered or said nothing because he was a KGB spy.
Why was having talent so essential in the Soviet Union?
Give three reasons
You could travel abroad
You could buy a car
You could get a private apartment
What were Yevgeny's parents whispering about after going to bed?
That they were worried about Yevgeny's future.
How was Mom's personality different from Dad's?
He was calmer than her.
She was less patriotic than him.
He followed the rules more than her.
What did Yevgeny think his mom's personal dream was?
To dance with Baryshnikov
What were Dad's two different personality sides?
1. Strict communist who loved Grandpa Lenin
2. Passionate lover of poetry
He drew his mom crying happy tears and watching a leaping ballet dancer.
Probably because he wanted his mom to be proud of him.