Refugee Quizlet Chapters 1-7

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Questions and Answers

What gave Isabel an idea to jump onto one of the cars stuck in the riot?

She saw people climbing out onto the big electric sign hanging from the side of a tourist hotel.

What set the police off at the command of their leader to push forward into the crowd, arrest rioters, and hit them with wooden batons?

Isabel's father threw a bottle that smashed into the line of police.

Who was the policeman that grabbed the older policeman who was beating Isabel's father?

Luis Castillo, Ivan's older brother.

What did the older policeman say to Isabel's father that made Isabel, Lito, and Papi conclude they had to leave Cuba that night?

He said, 'I saw what you did, I’ll find you again, when this is over, I will find you and arrest you, and they’ll send you away for good.' Signup and view all the answers

What was nearby echoing in the bombed-out streets of Aleppo, and what were Mahmoud and Waleed doing during this time?

The afternoon Adhan from a nearby mosque was echoing, while Mahmoud was doing his math homework and Waleed was watching Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of Mahmoud's mother?

Fatima Bishara. Signup and view all the answers

How did Mahmoud pray, what would he pray, and where?

He prayed facing Mecca with his brother, recited a brief prayer and chapters of the Qur'an. Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of Mahmoud's baby sister?

Hana. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Allahu Akbar' mean?

God is the greatest. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Qur'an?

The most holy book in Islam. Signup and view all the answers

What sound did Mahmoud hear when he went back to his homework to start a new prayer?

He heard the sound of an incoming missile. Signup and view all the answers

What did Mahmoud do before the missile hit, and what did the missile end up hitting?

He dropped his pencil, put his hands to his ears, and threw himself under the kitchen table. The missile hit his apartment, exploding the wall. Signup and view all the answers

Where did the Hitler Youth end up taking Josef?

To a compartment with a man in the uniform of the Gestapo. Signup and view all the answers

Where did Josef stay during the rest of the trip after he got caught?

He slipped back into his Jewish compartment and stayed there. Signup and view all the answers

Where did Josef's train pull into hours later?

Hamburg Central Railway Station. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the MS St. Louis.

It was a large ship with two giant tan smokestacks and a Nazi flag. Signup and view all the answers

Who was the shabby-looking man who hugged Josef's mother and called her Rachel?

Aaron Landau, Josef's father. Signup and view all the answers

How was Josef's father acting when he met his family?

He acted very sick, saying he wanted to leave and was fearful. Signup and view all the answers

How were the sailors treating Josef and his family on board the ship that made Josef so surprised?

They treated them like real passengers, with respect and kindness. Signup and view all the answers

While everyone was celebrating and blowing confetti, what was Josef thinking about during this time?

He was worried about what terrible things must have happened to his father. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Josef's sister?

Ruthie Signup and view all the answers

How old is Josef?

12 Signup and view all the answers

Why had Josef's father been arrested?

Because he continued to practice law after it was banned for Jews. Signup and view all the answers

Why couldn't Josef's family afford their previous home?

Josef's father was banned from practicing law because he was Jewish. Signup and view all the answers

How did the guards deal with Josef and his sister?

They dragged Josef face first and slapped Ruthie. Signup and view all the answers

How many strangers invaded Josef's home?

7 Signup and view all the answers

How did these men destroy Josef's home?

They tore down pictures and broke furniture. Signup and view all the answers

What did the sound sound like when Josef Landau woke up?

Like someone had kicked the front door in. Signup and view all the answers

What made the Nazis laugh at Josef?

When he tried to fight back and when they noticed his wet spot. Signup and view all the answers

When did Josef say he would become a man?

In 6 months and 11 days. Signup and view all the answers

What is Josef's mother's name?

Rachel Landau Signup and view all the answers

What is Josef's father's name?

Aaron Landau Signup and view all the answers

What does Kristallnacht mean?

The Night of Broken Glass Signup and view all the answers

What did the Nazis threaten to do to Josef for saying he would be a man in 6 months and 11 days?

They threatened to take him to a concentration camp. Signup and view all the answers

What did Josef's father's telegram say after 6 months of him being taken away?

He must leave Germany in 14 days to be released. Signup and view all the answers

What did Josef's mother spend weeks doing after his father was taken?

She went from one government office to another trying to locate him. Signup and view all the answers

How many tries did it take for the calico kitten to come out of the pink cinder block house?

2 Signup and view all the answers

Who is Isabel Hernandez?

11 years old with lanky arms and legs. Signup and view all the answers

What did the pink calico kitten primarily eat?

Could only nibble at beans. Signup and view all the answers

What year did the Soviet Union leave Cuba?

1989 Signup and view all the answers

What were the two communist countries mentioned?

Cuba and Russia Signup and view all the answers

What were the Soviets buying from the Cubans for 11 times the price?

Sugar Signup and view all the answers

What did most farms in Cuba grow?

Sugarcane Signup and view all the answers

Why could the Cubans not run the tractors?

They could not run them without Russian gas. Signup and view all the answers

How much older was Ivan than Isabel?

1 year Signup and view all the answers

What team did Ivan play for?

The Industriales Signup and view all the answers

What did Ivan suggest as cat names?

Javier, Lazaro, Jorge Signup and view all the answers

Who was the President and Prime Minister of Cuba?

Fidel Castro Signup and view all the answers

What was Ivan's excuse for building a boat?

Helping his dad with a doghouse. Signup and view all the answers

What was Isabel's father thrown in jail for?

Trying to escape Cuba. Signup and view all the answers

What did Isabel like to do to earn Pesos?

Play her trumpet for tourists. Signup and view all the answers

Where did the riot occur?

The Malecón Signup and view all the answers

What was Isabel's favorite place in Havana?

The promenade Signup and view all the answers

What tune did Isabel like to play on her trumpet?

The salsa tune Signup and view all the answers

What did Isabel listen for in Cuban music?

The clave Signup and view all the answers

Why was Isabel worried for the Castillos?

She was concerned about their plans to build a boat. Signup and view all the answers

How did Mahmoud Bishara survive?

By being invisible and staying under the radar. Signup and view all the answers

How old is Mahmoud Bishara?

12 Signup and view all the answers

What was Mahmoud's reason for staying invisible?

To avoid trouble from the Syrian army or rebels. Signup and view all the answers

How many friends did Mahmoud have?

None Signup and view all the answers

Where does Mahmoud sit in class?

Next to Ahmed and Nedhal, in the middle row. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Waleed?

Mahmoud's brother, 10 years old. Signup and view all the answers

What routes did Mahmoud take home?

Back alleys and bombed out buildings. Signup and view all the answers

What was Aleppo known for before the war?

The biggest, brightest, and most modern city in Syria. Signup and view all the answers

Why were the Syrians afraid to riot?

They feared President Bashar-Al-Assad's reprisal. Signup and view all the answers

What incidents led to the Syrian people rioting?

A man imprisoned for speaking out and kids arrested for anti-Assad slogans. Signup and view all the answers

What did Al Assad do in response to the riots?

He turned his tanks and soldiers against his people. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Mahmoud's best friend?

Khalid Signup and view all the answers

What did Mahmoud see that reminded him of Khalid?

A boy getting beaten up by two older boys. Signup and view all the answers

What did Mahmoud do to stop the bullies?

He lunged at them and got beaten up. Signup and view all the answers

Where would Josef's family head to since they could not go to the United States?

Cuba. Signup and view all the answers

What year did the Nazis take over, affecting Jewish refugees?

May of 1939. Signup and view all the answers

What was Josef's family's dream?

To make it to America. Signup and view all the answers

Why wouldn't Josef's mother let Ruthie take her coat off?

To stay invisible and safe from the Nazis. Signup and view all the answers

What embarrassing event happened with Herr Meier?

Josef was humiliated in front of the class. Signup and view all the answers

What test did Josef try to prove his teacher wrong?

He tested if anyone could identify him as Jewish without his armband. Signup and view all the answers

What did Josef realize about the German train car?

It felt no different than the Jewish car. Signup and view all the answers

What did Josef forget after talking to the man at the concession stand?

He forgot he was Jewish. Signup and view all the answers

What happened as Josef was about to buy candy for Ruthie?

His armband slipped out and was noticed by a boy. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Josef's best friend?

Klaus Signup and view all the answers

What did Klaus and the Hitler Youth boys do to Josef?

They waited for him after school. Signup and view all the answers

What sound did Isabel think she was hearing when everyone else acted normally?

Breaking glass. Signup and view all the answers

What triggered chaos in Havana?

A woman screamed and a pistol fired. Signup and view all the answers

What were the chants heard during the riot?

"Castro out!", "Enough is Enough", "Down with Fidel". Signup and view all the answers

Why did Isabel need to find her father during the chaos?

To prevent him from being sent to prison again. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Josef's Family

Josef's sister, Ruthie, is 6 years old, has bright eyes, wild brown hair, and carries a stuffed rabbit named Bitsy.
Josef is 12 years old with straight brown hair, brown eyes behind wire-framed glasses, and a short nose.
Josef's father, Aaron Landau, was arrested for practicing law despite laws banning Jews from the profession.
The family could no longer afford their home after Aaron lost his job due to his Jewish heritage.

Nazi Persecution

Seven strangers, some in civilian clothes and others in brown shirts and red armbands, invaded Josef's home.
The invaders vandalized the house, destroying furniture, pulling drawers, and breaking lamps.
Josef's family experiences threats from Nazis, including the suggestion of deportation to a concentration camp for Josef's dreams of becoming a man.

Escape Plans

Josef's family dreams of reaching the United States but plans to go to Cuba temporarily, as most countries had closed their borders to Jewish refugees.
After his father's arrest, the family struggles, with Josef's mother visiting government offices in search of information.

Isabel Hernandez

Isabel, 11 years old, is described as lanky with a brown face splotched with freckles and short black hair.
She plays trumpet for tourists in Havana and yearns for a better life as conditions worsen in Cuba due to Communist policies.
Isabel's family plans to escape to the U.S., fueled by desperation from food shortages and government oppression.

Mahmoud Bishara

Mahmoud, 12, feels the need to stay invisible due to the dangers posed by the Syrian army and rebel conflicts.
He has no friends, which helps him avoid trouble; he navigates through bombed streets and alleys on his way home.
Aleppo, once a modern city, has faced devastation since the civil war began, leading to random acts of violence.

Syrian Uprising

The Syrian populace, once fearful of protesting, is pushed to riot following incidents of violent repression from the government.
After witnessing brutality against fellow citizens, the people take to the streets, leading to a fierce governmental crackdown.

Exile and Hardships

Mahmoud has a tragic past involving his friend Khalid, who died in an airstrike, showcasing the personal toll of war.
Isabel faces chaotic riots in Havana and must find her father who risks imprisonment again due to government brutality.

Themes of Survival

The text emphasizes the theme of survival through invisibility, as seen in Mahmoud's attempt to avoid conflict.
Family connections and the necessity to escape oppressive regimes drive the characters' motivations across different historical crises.
The necessity for escape is underscored through Josef's family and Isabel's hope for a better future, while also highlighting the cruel realities they confront.### Daily Life of Mahmoud
Mahmoud completed math homework before performing a ritual wash using plastic jugs due to water issues.
His brother, Waleed, watched "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" dubbed in Syrian Arabic during this time.

Mahmoud's Mother

Fatima Bishara, characterized by long dark hair and intense brown eyes, typically wore jeans and a pink nurse's shirt.
She ceased working at the hospital after Hana’s birth, but not before witnessing traumatic events from the war, including severe injuries to civilians.

Mahmoud's Prayer Routine

Mahmoud prayed facing Mecca, using prayer mats he rolled out for himself and Waleed.
His mother prayed alone in her bedroom, while Mahmoud recited the first chapter of the Qur'an.
The entire prayer ritual lasted approximately seven minutes.

Significance of Key Terms

Allahu Akbar translates to "God is the greatest" in Arabic.
The Qur'an is regarded as the most sacred text in Islam.

Missile Attack Experience

Mahmoud heard an ominous sound, identified as an approaching missile, over the TV theme song.
The noise intensified rapidly, likened to a tornado, prompting him to take cover under the kitchen table.
The missile struck, causing a massive explosion that destroyed the walls of their apartment and resulted in a chaotic scene filled with debris and heat.

Josef and the Hitler Youth

Josef encountered the Hitler Youth who brought him to a GESTAPO officer, who questioned his actions.
After returning to his compartment, Josef remained there silently for the duration of the journey, adhering closely to protocol.

Arrival at Hamburg

The train carrying Josef arrived at Hamburg Central Railway Station, where he and his mother headed to the docks.

The MS St. Louis

The MS St. Louis was notably large, with distinctive smoke stacks and a Nazi flag, symbolizing their journey to America.
The ship's name evoked hope for visiting the American city of St. Louis.

Reunion with Josef's Father

Aaron Landau, Josef's father, appeared drastically changed since his detention, looking frail and unkempt.
He expressed panic upon reuniting with his family, insisting they needed to leave immediately, revealing a distressed mental state.

Treatment on Board the Ship

Josef was astonished at the kind treatment from German sailors who did not display anti-Semitic hostility.
Such treatment provided a stark contrast to his father's apprehensive outlook, creating a divide in their perceptions.

Josef's Internal Conflict

Amid celebrations of departure, Josef's thoughts lingered on the trauma his father faced, overshadowing the excitement of their new beginning.

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Test your knowledge on the first seven chapters of 'Refugee'. This quiz covers key characters, settings, and events, providing a deeper understanding of the narrative. Perfect for students studying the book or anyone interested in learning more about the themes and characters presented in these chapters.