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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. Why does Pappas go back to Israel?

2. How many years did Elisha sit as an observer and Joshua's apprentice at the Sanhedrin?

3. What is the commander's response to the pleading of the sages?

4. Who takes over Elisha's circumcision ceremony at the absence of Abuyah?

5. Why is Elisha overcome with discontent when he visits with Meir and Beruriah?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Simeon ben Azzai die?

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

3. Why was Elisha and Deborah's marriage pre-arranged by Amram?

4. What do the two famous sages, Eliezer and Joshua, discuss at Elisha's circumcision ceremony?

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

6. What is the job of the Sanhedrin?

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

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

9. Why do Antiphanes and Elisha attend all the lectures and symposia offered in Antioch?

10. Why did the merchant's business suffer after taking his case to the Roman courts?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Prejudice is a dangerous problem throughout As a Driven Leaf. Why do the Roman soldiers tease the boys, Pappas and Elisha, about being Jews? Were the Roman soldiers' behaviors unfair or fair? More importantly, are prejudices built into culture, or do they change with every generation? Discuss at least two accounts of prejudice described in the novel.

Essay Topic 2

The grand thematic struggle is between faith and reason and mostly exemplified by Elisha's character. Can faith and reason work together or are they fundamentally different principles? Discuss how Elisha is affected by the struggle between choosing faith and reason. Provide two examples of the conflict between faith and reason found in the book.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast Shraga and Elisha's characters. In what ways are they similar? How do they react to the Jewish tradition? Make sure to describe their mutual relationship and how this can illustrate their distinct similarities and differences.

(see the answer keys)

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