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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. About what does Professor Gordon ask Reuben?

2. What does Professor Gordon look over at the Zechariah Frankel library?

3. To what religion does the narrator's neighborhood belong?

4. Why are the Gordons angry with Rachel?

5. Who is Rachel Gorden?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Reuven's visit with Danny.

2. What does Reuven reveal in a flashback?

3. Describe Reuven and Michael's phone conversation.

4. Who does Reuven encounter at the library and what is the person doing?

5. Where does Professor Gordon invite Reuven and what does Reuven do?

6. What is the topic of Michael's long-winded monologue to Reuven?

7. How does Reuven know Professor Gordon?

8. Who does Reuven call the day after sailing with Michael and what is the result?

9. What does Kalman discuss with Reuven after class concerning Professor Gordon?

10. About whom does Rachel ask Reuven and what is his reply?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss The Promise based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if The Promise is a successful novel. Explain your rationale with specific examples.

3. Do you think the fact that The Promise deals with a very specific, narrow subject matter changes the criteria upon which its success should be judged? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

In Chapter 11, Reuven is in Kalman's class, but their encounter is brief. Kalman says nothing to Reuven and Reuven feels hatred for him. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think Reuven's hatred for Kalman is justified?

2. Can this difference of ideology between Kalman and Reuven be a metaphor for the differences between any two people/groups/nations that have ideological differences? Explain fully.

3. Why do you think most people want others to believe the way they do? Is this healthy? Does it contribute to peace or conflict?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of The Promise, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements (They may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 995 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample