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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. When Abuyah dies, who burns all the books and documents that are not Jewish?

2. Why does Manto say it is impossible for her to marry Elisha?

3. Who does Elisha want to seek out to answer his questions?

4. What does Elisha accidentally do in Jewish academy class one day?

5. Who is the leader of the rebels?

Short Essay Questions

1. After the ex-communication of Elisha was read at Sanhedrin, what did Joshua do?

2. What strikes Elisha as characteristic about the people of Antioch?

3. Who does Elisha turn to after sharing his thoughts with Deborah, and why?

4. What did Elisha drop in his Jewish academy class?

5. How does Elisha respond to the death of Beruriah and Meir's children?

6. How does Simeon ben Azzai die?

7. Why are Akiba and the two Simeons uncomfortable talking to Elisha about Greek literature?

8. Who eavesdrops on a conversation between Elisha and Meir, and what does she discover?

9. How does Shraga treat Elisha when they're working on the merchant's court case together?

10. In the Prologue, what do the sages debate over and what do they decide?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

After the ex-communication, Akiba randomly meets Elisha on the road. However, Akiba does not speak to Elisha because he is honoring the orders of the ex-communication. Is Akiba's behavior too drastic? Should the bonds of friendship be more important than the bonds of law? Cite three examples from the book when friendship and rules are at odds.

Essay Topic 2

In Chapter 10, Elisha's life seems to be improving. He has success and good friends and financial security. However, is Elisha truly happy? What would make Elisha happier? Does happiness lie in material possessions, or in something else? Cite three examples to support a workable definition of happiness that applies to the themes of As a Driven Leaf.

Essay Topic 3

During Elisha's circumcision, Abuyah, Elisha's father, acts rudely toward the Jewish faith and custom. The congregation is incensed and two rabbis discuss whether or not Elisha will be affected by his father's actions. Does every soul create its own destiny like Rabbi Joshua believes? Or, is the other Rabbi who says Abuyah's actions will have an effect on Elisha, closer to the truth? What about the conclusion of the novel? Does Elisha's life seem to have been affected by his father's beliefs?

(see the answer keys)

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