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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 Saul Ezer?

2. What is the problem when Benjamin Dobkin makes telephone contact with Jerusalem?

3. What does Jacob Hausner say will be their first action if they are overrun?

4. Why do Isaac Burg and Jacob Hausner agree that the time has come to give no orders?

5. Why does Miriam Bernstein try to leave the moving aircraft?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do Jacob Hausner and Nathan Burg conclude that the conduct of a war is too important to be left to politicians?

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

3. What does Naomi Haber do that leads to the death of Nathan Brin?

4. Once radio contact is established, why doesn't Teddy Laskov ask David Becker if Miriam Bernstein is still alive?

5. Why is Salim Tayid able to survive when none of the other Ashbals attacking the west bank do?

6. Which countries are now involved in the events in Babylon?

7. Why does Miriam Bernstein believe the role of the scribe is so important?

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

9. Why does the Prime Minister decide to ask the Americans to do the air reconnaissance mission over Iraq?

10. Why does Salem Hamadi understand that their attempt at getting money by taking the passengers of the Concorde 02 is over whether they win or lose the assault?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Jacob Hausner comes to hope that Teddy Laskov will continue to be Miriam Bernstein's lover. This hope seems a strange one for a man in love. Why do you think that Jacob Hausner would want another man to take his place with the woman he loves? What personal characteristics would he need to feel that kind of hope? In your essay, describe the changes that the events in this story have caused in Jacob Hausner.

Essay Topic 2

Dramatic irony takes place when the reader knows vital information that the characters do not. There is one place in this story where dramatic irony is in full effect. In your essay, discuss that situation and the effect that it has upon the suspense of a reader.

Essay Topic 3

Authors write for many purposes: to inform, to entertain, to persuade, or some combination of the three. In this essay, analyze what you think DeMille's purpose is in writing this story. Can you attribute an underlying purpose besides entertainment to the work? If so, what is it? Use quotations from the story to support your opinion.

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