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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. The Jewish feel that the Arabs understand only a language of __________ and soft-handed policies will fail.

2. A social studies teacher tells Shipler that the Jewish attitude is that 'we can do whatever we _________ with the Arabs."

3. Shipler notes that _________ among Arabs is so high that it is unlikely that the virulent bigotry has much affect on Arabic minds.

4. Shipler seeks to unravel the complexities of interaction by which the tiny minority of high-minded individuals strive to bridge the gap of ___________.

5. Israeli Jews have mixed feelings about war's ________, whereas Arabs allow the Islamic concept of jihad.

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when some of the people retreat to dogmatism in their thinking about the enemy?

2. What is the recurring theme in the examples that Shipler provides in terms of how the Arabs are portrayed in the media?

3. What is a 13-year-old Jewish boy called when he says that he is upset with the anti-Arab bigotry in his school?

4. What are some of the ways in which the Israeli Jews see the Arabs, sometimes being disgusted and yet infatuated?

5. What leads to paranoia about what might be said by Arabs on the television or on the radio?

6. Why does the 12-year-old Palestinian in Jabalya have no past and no future, according to Shipler?

7. And finally, what is Shipler's third goal for this book and for the reading audience as a whole?

8. How are the Arab youth being affected by the actions of the Israeli police?

9. Why does the Arab side of the argument lack a spokesperson for reason?

10. Why is it said that conflict is comfortable to both sides of this area?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Palestinians assume all groups and organizations are filled with informants.

Part 1: Why do the Palestinians feel they have to be suspicious of everyone around them?

Part 2: Do you think the Palestinians' paranoia is well-founded? Why or why not?

Part 3: How do you feel about those around you on an everyday basis? Are there spies around you?

Essay Topic 2

A girl tells Shipler that she would like to learn to read, but that she is too old for coeducational schooling.

Part 1: Why do you think girls are only allowed to be in school up to a certain point?

Part 2: How does a society benefit from having a strong learning system?

Part 3: What might a women do if she has no education to use in her life? What are her options?

Essay Topic 3

The two cultures have impacted each other over the decades - with Hebrew owing much of its language to Arabic.

Part 1: Why do you think the two cultures affected each other even in the midst of tensions?

Part 2: Do you think that the intermingling of cultures is a sign that the two can eventually come to peace? Why or why not?

Part 3: Do you think that the two cultures realize they are quite similar? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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