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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Abd Umar believes that the Jews discovered God, that God sent Jesus Christ as a prophet, and that God sent Muhammad as the next prophet, making Islam what?
(a) The only religion that tolerates others.
(b) A common sense approach to daily life.
(c) A compilation of all world religions put together.
(d) A continuation of the religions started by Jews and Christians.

2. Abd Umar believes that in not accepting Muhammad, Christians and Jews are what?
(a) Merely misguided.
(b) Stubborn and arrogant.
(c) Brainwashed by priests and rabbis.
(d) Filled with thoughts of superiority.

3. When Paul Zodman flies to the dig from Chicago in the last chapter, what surprise announcement does he make?
(a) He's run out of money for the dig.
(b) He's planning to marry Vered Bar-El.
(c) He's misplaced the infamous "Candlestick of Death."
(d) He's assigning everyone to a new dig.

4. The Mamelukes take over the Muslim Empire from Damascus. Volkmar requests permission from the Mamelukes to do what?
(a) Travel with his son through the empire.
(b) Negotiate a treaty with their leader.
(c) Build a library in their capital city.
(d) Establish a trading post near Damascus.

5. When the city of Safed is about to be transferred over to Arab control, what do the Arabs want?
(a) A new mayor.
(b) Additional time to work out all the details.
(c) Additional homes built to accomodate more families.
(d) The Jews to leave.

6. In exchange for water in the Jewish settlements, the leader of Tubariyeh is trying to get baksheesh, which is what?
(a) Very thin silver jewelry.
(b) A tip or bribe in exchange for a service.
(c) Immunity against any future mistakes he may make.
(d) A pastry made of honey and dates.

7. What does Dr. Abulafia do in Tunis?
(a) Kills an Inquisitor.
(b) Divorces his wife.
(c) Becomes a priest.
(d) Fakes his own murder.

8. On his way to Makor, Abd Umar sees Safat burning and knows that it is the work of whom?
(a) Abu Malek.
(b) Abd Zair.
(c) Abu Zeid.
(d) Abd Mehdi.

9. When Tabari offers Shmuel Hacohen Jewish books, what does Hacohen do?
(a) Buys the books.
(b) Demands that the books be returned to their rightful owner.
(c) Asks Tabari to donate the books to a nearby synagogue.
(d) Declines the books.

10. Why does Rabbi Eliezer, a German Jew in Gretz, decide to leave Germany with his wife Leah and their family?
(a) He is offered a better position in Tunis.
(b) He is publicly humiliated and his synagogue is torn down.
(c) He wants to enjoy the better weather of Spain.
(d) A cousin in Makor urges him to move there.

11. In 1947, the United Nations proposes dividing Palestine into two independent states and making Jerusalem what?
(a) An independent, international city.
(b) A part of Egypt.
(c) A part of Jordan.
(d) Half Palestinian, half Jewish.

12. How does the stonecutter Yohanan distract his son Menahem who is treated like an outcast by the other children?
(a) Takes him on rock hunting trips to the mountains.
(b) Tells him stories of faraway lands.
(c) Teaches him how to cook.
(d) Sings him songs about great leaders.

13. After Rabbi Zaki's wife Rachel dies in Safed, who does he end up marrying?
(a) Analisa, sister of Dr. Abulafia.
(b) Elisheba, daughter of Rabbi Eliezer.
(c) Mariana, daughter of Dr. Abulafia.
(d) Johana, sister of Rabbi Eliezer.

14. Abd Umar does not advocate violence and strives to capture Makor:
(a) By tricking its religious leaders.
(b) As peacefully as possible.
(c) With a thousand spies and infiltrators.
(d) By imprisoning its political leaders.

15. In the last chapter, Cullinane is surprised to discover that Ilan Eliav has been offered what?
(a) A job at another dig.
(b) A cabinet post.
(c) A teaching position at Harvard.
(d) A job on a cruise ship.

Short Answer Questions

1. In order for a Byzantine basilica to be built in Makor, what must be destroyed to make room for it?

2. In Beirut, what happens to Faraj ibn Ahmed Tabari's brother-in-law, who is a constitution reformer?

3. When the Gottesmans and other Jews arrive at Safed and prepare to defend the city from being turned over to Arab control, which child is among those who greet them?

4. In Safed, who ends up marrying Sarah, Rabbi Zaki's eldest daughter?

5. In Podi, Italy, what does Rabbi Zaki tell his wife?

(see the answer keys)

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