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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 does Reuven's father encourage Reuven to act towards Kalman?

2. What does Reuven read that infuriates him?

3. Why is Abe Greenfield unprepared for class?

4. How does Reuven's response to one exam question shock the examiners?

5. Who does Michael talk about?

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 Danny think about isolation and what does Danny want Reuven to do?

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

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

5. What do Reuven and Gordon discuss when they meet in this chapter?

6. Describe the altercation between Kalman and Greenfield.

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

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

9. What does Michael say about Rav Kalman's article?

10. What does Danny give Michael and what does Michael say about it to Reuven?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Define irony in literary terms. Discuss the irony of the situation whereby Professor Gordon is at a conservative seminary and David Malter is at a liberal seminary . Find two other incidences of irony in The Promise and discuss them.

2. Define symbolism in literary terms. Discuss the use of and meaning of five symbols found in The Promise.

3. Discuss the use of foreshadowing in literature. What is the purpose of foreshadowing? Cite 3 examples of foreshadowing and how it is used to indicate events to come in The Promise.

Essay Topic 3

The Promise, like many, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy (or at least optimistic) note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why? not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of The Promise and whether or not The Promise fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why The Promise is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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