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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. How does Elisha feel about his quest to seek a reasoned certainty that would explain everything, including faith?

2. What is the result of Elisha and Pappas visit with Rufus to ask him to convince the Emperor to change his plans?

3. What do the people of Bethar do when they realize that the Romans will soon overrun their town?

4. What does Elisha ask of Rufus in return for his cooperation?

5. How does Elisha try to deceive Rufus?

Short Essay Questions

1. While in jail, Akiba makes a prediction. What does Akiba predict?

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

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

4. Why do Elisha and Manto hide their mutual love from Rufus, Manto's benefactor?

5. How did Meir honor Elisha after Elisha died?

6. Why does Elisha's discussion with Charicles deeply disturb Elisha?

7. Why did Charicles not want to speak with Elisha at first?

8. Describe the symbolism behind Rufus making Elisha sit beside a harlot during the executions.

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

10. Why does the bloody spectacle not humor the Romans?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Within As a Driven Leaf, a lot of promises are made and broken. Choose a side and argue whether or not promises should ever be broken. Cite three examples from the book that deal with promises to back up the argument.

Essay Topic 2

The Jewish community is generally mistrustful of the Romans. When Shraga and Elisha are working on the court case for the merchant, what does the merchant decide to do, and why? Why did the merchant's business suffer when he took his case to the Roman court? Describe the relationship between the Jewish community and the individual. What pressures and responsibilities do the Jewish members have to their community?

Essay Topic 3

When Meir and Beruriah's sons die, Elisha thinks about the fragility of life. Elisha looks to Jewish stories and traditions for solace, but he begins to doubt their veracity. Why does Elisha look to the Jewish traditions and literature for comfort? Why does he doubt their potency and truth? Cite three examples of mistrust of faith throughout the novel and explain the tensions characters have between faith and reason.

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