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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. Why is Professor Gordon exhausted at the opening to Chapter 4?

2. Who has gotten in fist fights with others?

3. With whom is Reuven dissatisfied in the flashback?

4. What does Danny say about Michael?

5. What is one possible explanation for Michael's nosebleeds?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the elderly man who is the father of the booth attendant at the dice game.

2. What does Michael tell Reuven about Michael's nosebleeds?

3. What does Kalman discuss with Reuven after class concerning Professor Gordon?

4. What rumors infuriate Reuven and his father?

5. How does Reuven know Professor Gordon?

6. What does Michael say about orthodox Jews?

7. How does the narrator's neighborhood change in the early 1950s?

8. What happens between October and December for Reuven?

9. Describe Reuven's visit with Danny.

10. Who is Nota Finkel and for what is he noted?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Chapter 4, the narrator says that Danny is raised by his father with a barrier of silence - they only spoke when they studied Talmud. This was to teach Danny suffering. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think Rebbe Saunders' method of raising Danny helped him to learn about suffering?

2. What else do you think it may have taught Danny?

3. Why do you think Rebbe Saunders thinks Danny needs to learn suffering?

4. Do you think Danny's mother had any say in the way Danny is raised in silence?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of The Promise, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements (They may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 3

The Promise, like many, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy (or at least optimistic) note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why? not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of The Promise and whether or not The Promise fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why The Promise is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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