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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 does Kalman do in protest about the planned changes at his school?

2. Out of what does David think Kalman is acting?

3. What do Danny and Michael discuss at the opening to Chapter 12?

4. According to David Malter, how do scribal errors influence his interpretation of texts?

5. How does David Malter react to the article Kalman writes about Malter's book?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the essential argument of the second part of Rav Kalman's article attacking David Malter's book?

2. What does Kalman think about Reuven as his student?

3. What is Michael's recent disturbing behavior and what precipitated Michael's actions?

4. What explanation does Kalman offer for his attack on Greenfield the day before in class?

5. What does Reuven argue at his smicha exam and why is that upsetting to Kalman and Gershenson?

6. What do Reuven and Professor Gordon discuss when Reuven visits him?

7. What happens when Reuven goes in to Michael's room to see him after the fire?

8. What does Danny's father want to learn and what is his reaction when Reuven tells him?

9. Describe the altercation between Kalman and Greenfield.

10. What is the impact of David Malter's book and Kalman's ensuing article on the Yeshiva where David teaches?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in The Promise.

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of The Promise. How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of The Promiise. How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

Essay Topic 2

Kalman picks on Reuven by having him read Gemora aloud and critiques his interpretations. Reuven reads Kalman's book on ethics. Discuss the following:

1. What is ethics? How do you think the topic figures in during the telling of The Promise?

2. Why do you think Kalman is picking on Reuven in class?

3. Do you think it is ironic that Kalman wrote a book on ethics and yet he obviously picks on a student just because Kalman sees him with someone with whom Kalman disagrees?

4. Discuss the major characters (Kalman, Reuven, Danny, Professor Gordon, Michael Gordon and David Malter) and tell why you think each is ethical or not, giving one example for each to illustrate your point.

Essay Topic 3

Oftentimes, a book is more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think The Promise is? Explain your response.

(see the answer keys)

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