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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. What feeling does Elisha experiences after his conversation with Charicles?

2. What does Elisha tell Meir about faith and reason?

3. Why do both Elisha and Pappas curtail their expenses and move to smaller apartments?

4. What fate does Elisha accept?

5. What does Charicles say about Euclid?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is symbolic about Meir choosing to not walk with Elisha past the boundary where Jews are not allowed to cross on the Sabbath?

2. As Elisha and Pappas travel back to Jerusalem, how does their hometown look?

3. Why does Akiba refuse to speak to Elisha when they see each other on the road?

4. Where does Elisha go during the blizzard, and why?

5. What did the people of Bethar choose to do rather than face Roman slavery and torture?

6. How do the Jews of Palestine react when they discover Judah was martyred?

7. Why does Elisha decide not to reveal the names of the new rabbis to Rufus?

8. What happened to Elisha after he was forced to watch the rabbis be executed?

9. Rufus presents a life or death question to Pappas and Elisha. How does Elisha respond?

10. Was it wise for Elisha to pursue truth regardless of the consequences?

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 As a Driven Leaf, Deborah and Elisha are betrothed according to Jewish tradition. What similarities is their marriage based on? Find other couples and marriages in the book. What similarities are their relationships based on? Compare and contrast at least two relationships. Support your examples with material from the book.

Essay Topic 3

Deborah does not treat others with much respect. She encourages Elisha to get rid of some servants because they are too old to work. Describe her behavior toward other people. Using Deborah as one example, defend or oppose the argument that respect should be deserved or earned. Cite at least two other examples from the book that draw on different characters to support your argument.

(see the answer keys)

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