View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What event greatly increases support for the Zionist movement in Europe after WWII?

2. What does Elias ask of his congregation?

3. What happens to a village as a result of Elias' intercession?

4. What does Elias realize is making matters worse in Ibillin?

5. Who are "blood brothers" in Elias's eyes?

Short Essay Questions

1. What type of personal epiphany did Elias have at Ibillin and what did he decide?

2. How did Elias feel after researching the history of Palestine and Jews and why did he feel that way?

3. What was the reality about the Palestinians that Elias had to face in the last 1960's?

4. What was one of Elias's most acclaimed accomplishments mentioned in the chapter "Work, For the Night is Coming?"

5. What kind of church was Elias's first assignment and what did he vow?

6. What does Elias Chacour hope about his book?

7. How was Palestine ruled until the end of World War I and then what happened?

8. Why does he consider the conflict in Israel so horrific?

9. What did Elias continue to do after Palm Sunday and what did the sisters do?

10. What happened about the massacre in question number 50?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Elias himself was the victim of the Zionists, when he and his friends were singled out as culprits in the cutting of a telephone line. He and his father were interrogated for hours and Elias beaten. Though it was later discovered that a truck had inadvertently driven over the wire, severing it, there was never an apology or an admission of a mistake. Discuss the following:

1. What might an apology have done to the situation? Why do you think the Zionist do not offer one?

2. Are hours of interrogation and a beating overboard for the offense? Why or why not?

3. In response to these events, Elias chooses to retreat to solitude, again talking to Jesus and coming to the conclusion that somehow he would become a part of God's plan for peace. Do you think this is a worthwhile plan? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

As a youngster, Elias loves to hear about Jesus and his miracles from his mother. Discuss the following:

1. Trace and analyze the young Elias' religious involvement. How influential is his early religious life on who he becomes? Does his spirituality seem sincere? Why or why not?

2. Elias has difficulty understanding the Beatitudes. What are the Beatitudes? State them. Choose two of them to interpret in light of your own beliefs.

3. Discuss Elias' view of Jesus and how Elias comes to be either like or not like the image Elias holds of Jesus.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,173 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample