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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. How is Michael's treatment progressing?

2. Where is David Malter offered a position?

3. What is going on with Michael during this time?

4. What is Abe Greenfield's area of expertise?

5. Why does Michael think his father exhausts himself?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Kalman say to Reuven about his smicha exam?

3. What does Danny tell Reuven and what is Reuven's reaction?

4. What does Reb Saunders tell Reuven and what does Reuven do?

5. What small breakthrough happens with Michael, and what does his mother want?

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

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

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

9. How is David Malter's recent book release still affecting the community?

10. What do Danny, Rachel, Reuven and Eileen go to see and what is their response?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Chapter 11, Reuven is in Kalman's class, but their encounter is brief. Kalman says nothing to Reuven and Reuven feels hatred for him. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think Reuven's hatred for Kalman is justified?

2. Can this difference of ideology between Kalman and Reuven be a metaphor for the differences between any two people/groups/nations that have ideological differences? Explain fully.

3. Why do you think most people want others to believe the way they do? Is this healthy? Does it contribute to peace or conflict?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

In Chapter 8, Rav Kalman says he wants to impress upon the class the importance of choosing Torah over all else. Kalman says that he could only give his approval to students who put it above all else because he had had one of the greatest teachers of Torah in the world, and since his teacher had been killed, as had all his European students, his approval is the lone approval of an entire great line of Torah commentators. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think Rav Kalman means by the statement that his lone approval of an entire great line of Torah commentators?

2. What is the definition of tradition?

3. How important do you think tradition is in matters of religious belief?

4. Should religious belief change with cultural beliefs? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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