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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 many of Jacob Hausner's security team were killed?

2. How does the wind help the attackers?

3. How does Miriam Bernstein respond to Teddy Laskov's message?

4. What does Jacob Hausner say is more awful than the desolation of Babylon when he looks at the picture of Ahmed Rish?

5. What does Ahmed Rish think is the advantage the gods have sent the attackers?

Short Essay Questions

1. What incentives do the young Ashbal fighters have that they did not have during the first attack?

2. What lesson has Salem Hamadi learned as he watches the way Ahmed Rish deals with the young Ashbals?

3. Why does Nathan Burg veto the idea of attempting an escape at night?

4. What is Peter Kahn's biggest concern throughout the ordeal?

5. How does Yigael Tekoah become a hero?

6. To what does Major Bartok eventually attribute the successful defense of Concorde 02?

7. Who suffered disproportionately during the captivity, and why?

8. Why does Jacob Hausner think it is better for Miriam Bernstein to cry and howl when she is suffering pain and grief?

9. What is the purpose of Ibrahim Arif's taunting of Salem Hamadi?

10. What advantages does the Sherji, the hot desert wind, give to the attackers?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The hot desert wind has many names: Hamseen, Sharav, and Sherji. It has importance as a symbol to the Arabs and Israelis in this story as well as playing a physical part in the outcome of the story. In your essay, explain the effect of the wind on the minds and bodies of the characters.

Essay Topic 2

The quotation of scriptural prophecies create the impression that DeMille wants readers to see the characters in this story as part of Biblical prophecy. In your essay, analyze whether these characters see themselves as part of a long history or as isolated participants in a single event, alone and unsupported in the larger world. Use quotations from the story to substantiate your opinion.

Essay Topic 3

The Diaspora - the scattering of captive Jews throughout different lands as a result of captivity - has a strong effect on Jews in Israel as well as on those who are themselves scattered. In your essay, discuss the effect on this story of the Jews in the Iraqi Ummah.

(see the answer keys)

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