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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. Of what does Elias's father make certain?

2. Where do many of the villagers go?

3. What of the Bible is a mystery to Elias?

4. Why is Elias often punished at his new school?

5. Why do the Arab villages through which the men of Biram travel offer no help?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Elias and his friend find the studies in Paris?

2. What would a current student of the Middle East find strange about Palestine in the late 1940's?

3. What did a second Supreme Court rule about the town of Biram and what happened after that ruling?

4. What type of journal did Elias begin when he was at school? How long did this journal last?

5. What type of study did Elias and his friend study at the seminary and how did Elias feel about it?

6. What were the three important principles Elias learned from his father as stated in the section, Treasures of the Heart?

7. What did the Zionist soldiers tell the people in Elias's hometown and how did they respond?

8. What happens in Palestine when the United Nations steps into the conflict?

9. Where and when did Elias Chacour grow up and what did his family do for a living?

10. With what was Elias suspected of doing by Zionist soldiers and what was the final outcome of that accusation?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Michael Chacour began to realize that Elias, at age twelve, preeminently, was more spiritually oriented than the other children. Accordingly, when the Church Bishop visited, he requested assistance in locating a school for his youngest son. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think it is a positive step for Michael to send a twelve year old away from home for the purpose of schooling? What would be the advantages for Elias? The disadvantages?

2. If you or your child could not obtain the type of schooling you want while living with your family would you being willing to leave at age 12 or send your 12 year old away to school? Why or why not?

3. What are the goals that Michael has for Elias in going away to school? Do you think Elias fulfills those goals?

Essay Topic 2

Elias found himself seeking out longer periods of solitude, talking to Jesus and praying for the safe return of the village men and boys. It was during this time that he began to feel that the message from Jesus was peace, and he offered himself to that end, if he could be of use. Discuss the following:

1. Most governments and individuals profess to desire peace, yet it seems almost impossible to obtain. What is the reason for the discrepancy between wanting peace and it not happening?

2. Are there some people who really do not want peace? Discuss fully both with examples from the book and other situations.

3. If the world were totally peaceful, would it be as interesting? Why or why not? Discuss fully both with examples from the book and other situations.

Essay Topic 3

An understanding of the events of Blood Brothers hinges upon an understanding of the geopolitical situation of Palestine. Discuss one of the following:

1. Research and analyze the history of how the State of Israel came about. Why do the Jewish people choose Palestine as the land to settle? How many Jewish people are already residing in Palestine prior to the decision of Zionist to invade Palestinian land? What is the nature of the relations between Jews, Christians and Muslims before the arrival of Zionists? Does your research seem to agree with what Elias Chacour writes in Blood Brothers? What are the discrepancies if any?

2. Research and discuss the history of Palestine under the Ottoman Empire. What is the predominant religion of the area? Is tolerance practiced? Is any particular group discriminated against? Who? Why? Are the lives of the Palestinians better or worse under the Ottoman Empire than under the government of Israel? Cite examples to support your answers. Do you think the Palestinians preferred the Ottoman Empire or that of the British? Explain your answer.

3. Research and discuss how the Jewish nation has changed Palestine. Have they initiated improvements? What ones? Have they treated the land respectfully? Why or why not. Does Israel practice religious tolerance today? What is the status of the Palestinians today in the first decade of the 21st century.

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