View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is Danny?

2. What happens to Michael between the time of his breaking down at the fair and then arriving home?

3. Who does Michael see briefly?

4. According to Reuven, what will happen to the Hasid if they do not change?

5. What happens to Michael while he is arguing?

Short Essay Questions

1. What rumors infuriate Reuven and his father?

2. How does Danny become involved with the Gordon family?

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

4. What does Michael say about orthodox Jews?

5. How does Reuven work out a way to meet Professor Gordon?

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

7. What does Danny tell Reuven about Michael?

8. Describe the neighborhood in which the narrator lives at the opening of the The Promise.

9. Describe Reuven's visit with Danny.

10. Describe Rav Kalman.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss The Promise based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if The Promise is a successful novel. Explain your rationale with specific examples.

3. Do you think the fact that The Promise deals with a very specific, narrow subject matter changes the criteria upon which its success should be judged? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Michael's character and his problems are intertwined with many of the other major characters. In chapter one, Michael's emotional problems are evident already. Discuss the following:

1. What foreshadowing takes place in chapter one about Michael, and where and how does the foreshadowing resolve itself?

2. Discuss which characters Michael in some way mirrors? How and why does he serve as a mirror? Give specific examples.

3. Define the concept of "foil" in a literary sense. Discuss which characters to whom Michael is a foil. How and why does he serve as a foil? Give specific examples.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,085 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample