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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. Who is Faraj Nakhleh?

2. What are the Christians called who remain in Jerusalem?

3. From whom does Elias learn the most?

4. What does Michael want for Elias?

5. To whom does Michael speak?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who was taken out of Gish from Elias's family and who was left?

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

3. What did Elias begin to do after so many people were taken from the village of Gish? What did he believe about the situation?

4. Who declared Israel an independent state in May 1948 and then what did he do? How did the world respond?

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

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

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

8. How did Elias's teachers view him at the seminary and why?

9. What did Elias' father explain about the Jews coming to the town?

10. What did Elias see in Jesus and how did he feel about Jesus? How did Elias see his interaction with Jesus?

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

In "Singled Out," it is the end of 1949, and things had begun to change somewhat. The new Zionist landowners were unschooled in the proper cultivation of the orchards and needed to employ native Palestinians to care for them. Discuss one the following:

1. Compare and contrast Michael's reaction to working in his own orchards as hired help with that of Elias' reaction. Which reaction is more like to how you would feel? Which seems psychologically healthier? Which seems more in line with the doctrines of Christianity?

2. In this same chapter, it states that other villagers left for Haifa, hoping to secure better jobs in the new factories being built by the Jews. What is the irony in both this situation and in that of the former orchard owners working as hired hands in their orchards?

3. How do you think the Jewish families who steal the Palestinian lands justify such actions? Is the land stolen? Or paid for by fair market value? Even if the land is paid for, if the villager does not want to sell but is forced to do so, it that a fair exchange?

Essay Topic 3

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.

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