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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. What lie does Mossad tell the CIA in Chapter 13?

2. When does the Mossad front open in Chapter 15?

3. What do the Danes attend every three years?

4. What does Chile do with DINA chief Contreras after America demands his extradition in Chapter 11?

5. What nation supports Israel in transporting Ethiopian Jews in Chapter 15?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the Mossad make initial contact with Magid?

2. How does Mossad kill the new head of Black September in Chapter 10?

3. What nefarious activity do the Mossad discover involving Magid and his brother in Chapter 12?

4. How does Mossad take down the United States ambassador to the UN in Chapter 14?

5. How does Contreras connect with Mossad in Chapter 11?

6. Why is Yassar Arafat unpopular with fundamentalists?

7. What is the Tsafririm?

8. How does Mossad thwart Arafat's arms deal in Chapter 13?

9. Why do Magid and his brother begin providing info to a katsas in Chapter 12?

10. What does the Mossad decide regarding its agent in Libya in Chapter 16?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Almost as vivid as Ostrovsky's portraits of Mossad agents and recruits are his portrayals of the international antagonists to Israel's safety. Write an essay about the characters of Carlos and Arafat. How does each man prove to be a treat to Israel? What is his motivation for seeking its destruction? Explore the chapters in which these characters are prominent. How does the Mossad succeed in thwarting each man in his mission against Israel?

Essay Topic 2

Over the course of Ostrovsky's novel, the author makes clear that Mossad relies on recruits who may or may not know they are helping Israel. These recruits are often put into grave danger and sometime die or disappear. Write an essay about three instances of Mossad recruits being endangered.

Part 1) Analyze the use of prostitutes in the Iraq operation described in the Prologue. Why are prostitutes employed? What information do they help elicit from Halim? Discuss why a prostitute is killed at the end of the operation. What did her death serve to accomplish?

Part 2) Discuss the recruitment of Magid and Jadid in Chapter 12. What information do these men have, and what is its value to Mossad? Explore whether the brothers know who they are helping. What danger do they face? How is Jadid compensated for the danger he faces?

Part 3) Explore the Libyan agent who is recruited in Chapter 17. What information does this agent provide the Mossad? What operations does it aid, and how do Israeli agents attempt to protect him? What is the Libyan agent's ultimate fate?

Essay Topic 3

Although By Way of Deception seems to focus alternately on Mossad as a whole or Victor in particular, there are many colorful characters in it. Write an essay about three of the agents that appear in the novel. What memorable scenes occur with each of these agents? What does he think about the mission of Israel and his place within it? Looking at the three examples, is there a specific character type that seems drawn to and effective in the Mossad?

(see the answer keys)

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