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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. Where do the children in Biram attend school?

2. How do the scholars study the Bible?

3. What does Elias see in Jesus?

4. What action supersedes other problems in the Middle East?

5. What is frustrating to Elias?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What did the Bishop suggest for Elias?

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

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

6. What was Elias's main struggle with understanding Jews?

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

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

9. Who are the Zionist soldiers battling in Palestine in the late 1940's and what is the result of those battles?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

A second Supreme Court ruling returns Biram to its original residents. This time, the soldiers gave the villagers the date of December 25 for return. On Christmas morning, the villagers of Gish walked to Biram, only to find the village still surrounded by soldiers and tanks. Then, as the returning residents watched, the Zionists destroyed the village. Elias is devastated but, even more, experiences a rage that cannot be reconciled with the teachings of Jesus to love and pray for one's enemies. Discuss the following:

1. Is Elias' rage understandable? Do you think he expects too much of himself to want to love and pray for the soldiers as he watches them destroy his village?

2. How does Elias eventually release the rage he experiences at the Zionist? Does it seem he is sincerely healed of the anger?

3. One of Jesus' teachings says that if someone smite you on one cheek, turn the other cheek. Is this realistic in a situation such as the one with the Zionist destroying Biram? Why or why not? What kind of person would be able to follow such a teaching? Could you?

Essay Topic 2

Within the new government itself, however, all was not cohesive. Factions had developed, all vying for power, and differing on treatment of the native Palestinians. The elders of the former village of Biram seized upon this opportunity to petition the Israeli Supreme Court for permission to return to their homes. Though this petition was granted, Zionist soldiers still would not allow them in. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the reasons the Zionist soldiers will not allow the villagers to reclaim their homes based on a court order by the Jewish government?

2. Why do you think the Jewish government does not intervene? Could they be afraid of the more radical Zionist themselves?

3. How often do you think a court victory is empty--both in the Palestinian situation and in other situations. Discuss with examples from the text and your own knowledge.

Essay Topic 3

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?

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