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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. Danny Saunders explains to Reuven in Chapter 8 that he wants to read Freud but first must learn what in order to read his original writings?

2. The Malters’ housekeeper is from where in the novel?

3. Reuven has a picture of what physicist on his wall in Chapter 5?

4. Who is Reuven Malter’s gym teacher in Chapter 1?

5. What is the name of Reuven Malter’s father in the narrative?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is indicated by Reuven’s thoughts in the beginning of Chapter 8?

2. What changes Reb Saunders’ views of Reuven in Chapter 7? How is this indicated?

3. What does Reuven discover about Billy Merritt in Chapter 9?

4. What conversation do Reuven and Danny have about Reb Saunders in Chapter 7?

5. What is demonstrated by Danny’s interests in psychoanalysis in the novel?

6. What is indicated by David Malter’s description of the fortunate and unfortunate in Chapter 4?

7. What historical figure does David Malter compare Danny Saunders to in Chapter 6? How is this individual’s influence on Judaism described?

8. How is Reuven’s home described when he returns from the hospital in Chapter 5? Who greets them when they arrive home?

9. What does Reuven consider about his first foray into the Hasidic world in Chapter 7?

10. What does Reuven’s father reveal to Reuven about his condition and surgery in Chapter 2?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the impact of Shabbtai Zvi on Jewish culture and beliefs. How did Judaism change after his emergence and disappearance? Why is Shabbtai Zvi discussed in The Chosen?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the setting of Williamsburg, Brooklin in the 1930s. What ethnic and religious groups lived principally in this neighborhood at the time? How inclusive is Reuven’s neighborhood? What is a “brownstone” and how are these houses set up? How wealthy is Reuven’s family?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Reuven’s dismissal of Danny’s apology in Chapter 2. What does Reuven’s father tell him about this act? How does he use the Torah in his advice to Reuven? How does Reuven’s action relate to the themes of the novel?

(see the answer keys)

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