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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 Danny give Michael?

2. With whom does Greenfield argue?

3. Who does Professor Gordon want as his student?

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

5. To whom does Kalman apologize?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What does Michael do when Reuven says he is going inside because he is cold?

5. What is the difference in scholarly approaches between Kalman and Reuven's father.

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

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

8. Describe the altercation between Kalman and Greenfield.

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Chapter 4, David Malter is impressed that Gordon has a theology where Jews can fail to believe but remain observant. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think Jews who do not believe in God would want to still observe the religious rituals surrounding the Jewish religious beliefs?

2. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of following the outward form without the inner beliefs.

3. Do you think it is a common practice for a person to follow the outward trappings of his/her religion (whether Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hindu, etc...) but not actually believe?

4. If you no longer believed in the spiritual/theological ideas behind the outward practice of your religion, would you continue to participate in the ceremonies that are a part of your belief system? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 2

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 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)

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