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. Why are the Gordons angry with Rachel?

2. Who has gotten in fist fights with others?

3. What is the name of the narrator in the Introduction?

4. What time frame does Chapter 5 concern?

5. Who does Reuven call the day after he and Michael go sailing?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the game which Michael is playing and which is making Reuven and Rachel nervous for him.

2. What rumors infuriate Reuven and his father?

3. Where do Michael and Reuven go the day after the fair, and what does Reuven teach Michael?

4. What are the narrator's plans for his schooling and what were the influences on his choice?

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

6. Who does the narrator meet in Spring of 1950 that changes his view some about his religion?

7. What is the topic of Michael's long-winded monologue to Reuven?

8. How does Danny's father raise Danny?

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

10. When does Michael get a nosebleed at the fair, and what do Reuven and Rachel do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Reuven asks his father about Kotzker, who it turns out is an eccentric rabbi who has shut himself up in a room for twenty years and has disagreements with many Hasidic sects.

Discuss the following:

1. Research the historical Kotzker Rebbe and write an informative essay on him and how the historical facts match up with what is said in The Promise.

2. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a scholar isolating himself for twenty years.

3. Can you ever think of a reason you would isolate yourself for twenty years?

4. Relate the anecdote about Kotzker Rebbe to the theme of silence in the Promise. What other situations are related to the theme of silence? Who tries to silence other? Why?

Essay Topic 2

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Reuven Malter and Daniel Saunders. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Is either man's cause more worthy than the other? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of David Malter and Rav Kalman. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,032 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample