The Cellist of Sarajevo

Multiple Choice and Long Answer questions create ideal opportunities for whole-book review, unit exam, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. What is the purpose of the cellist’s flashback at the beginning of the novel?

A) It serves to describe the dire circumstances in Sarajevo.

B) It represents the effect war has on civilians.

C) It describes the cellist’s motivation for his music.

D) It explains the cellist’s rage at losing the Opera Hall.

2. How does the cellist attempt to cope with the violence in Sarajevo?

A) He blocks the memories from his mind.

B) He tries to remember better times.

C) He creates better memories.

D) He makes himself busy.

3. What best summarizes how the destruction of the Opera Hall felt to the cellist?

A) The depravity of enemy forces saddens him.

B) He feels as though there is no longer any hope.

C) He realizes he cannot pick up the pieces of his life, like the Opera Hall.

D) He feels as though when it was destroyed, he was destroyed.

4. What does Albinoni’s Adagio represent in the novel?

A) Rebuilding comes at a cost.

B) Inspiration is what you make of it.

C) Beauty can come from destruction.

D) Opportunity is everywhere.

5. What is Dragan’s coping mechanism in the novel?

A) Avoidance

B) Attack

C) Fear

D) Work

6. From the novel, what can the reader infer Arrow is motivated by?

A) Anger

B) Friendship

C) Survival

D) Honor

7. What purpose does Dragan’s narrative serve in the novel?

A)  As the present-day representation of what Sarajevo has become

B) As the renewal and rebuilding of Sarajevo’s future

C) As a survivalist who cares little for what Sarajevo used to be

D) As the cultural and historical reference for Sarajevo before the war

8. What is the symbolic significance of light in the novel?

A) It portrays the future of Sarajevo.

B) It represents clinging to hope.

C) It relays the difficulty of war.

D) It illustrates the hopelessness of the people.

9. What does the destruction of the library represent to Kenan?

A) The future of education

B) The lack of compassion from enemy troops

C) His deteriorating society

D) The destruction of knowledge

10. What can be inferred about why Nermin dismissed Arrow from the Sarajevo Army?

A) He believes the next leader is cruel and unfeeling.

B) He respects Arrow’s father.

C) He does not want her to become a monster.

D) He wants her to live in peace.

11. How does Dragan’s perspective on the war in Sarajevo change in the novel?

A) Dragan is no longer afraid of snipers.

B) Dragan wants to live and help others.

C) Dragan becomes brave enough to cross the street.

D) Dragan decides to quit his job at the bakery.

12. How does the cellist impact the city around him with his music?

A) The music gives them peace.

B) The music rebuilds the city.

C) It prevents enemy forces from attacking.

D) It has a healing effect on the citizens.

13. What changes are made in Arrow in response to the cellist’s music?

A) She reclaims her identity.

B) She takes on death.

C) She kills the civilian.

D) She fights for her life.

14. How does Kenan’s perspective on the city change?

A) He decides he needs to leave before it is destroyed.

B) He expresses the need to face the men on the hill.

C) He learns to see the possibilities of its renewal.

D)  He will no longer go to fetch water.

15. What is the primary catalyst for change in war-torn Sarajevo?

A) The cellist’s music

B) The brutality of the men on the hill

C) Emina’s sacrifice for others

D) The love and compassion of others

Long Answer

Compose a 2-3 sentence response, incorporating text details to support your response.

1. How do hats have a symbolic meaning in the novel?

2. Describe the novel’s theme, The Redemptive Power of Art. How does art serve as redemption for the characters in the novel?