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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. Where does Jacob Kahn live?

2. What is the title of the book Rivkeh's professor gives to Asher?

3. Which college does Asher plan to attend?

4. In Chapter 9, Jacob Kahn travels to see an art show in which city?

5. In the beginning of Chapter 12, Aryeh and Rivkeh share a private joke over which of Rivkeh's habits?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Asher describe the difference between a naked woman and a nude?

2. At the end of Chapter 8, where is Aryeh?

3. In Chapter 13, Asher's understanding of his mythic ancestor changes. What does Asher realize about him?

4. What is Asher's strongest memory of his first art show?

5. What types of paintings does Jacob Kahn emphasize in his trips with Asher to the Metropolitan Museum of Art? Why?

6. Describe Asher's surroundings while he lives with Jacob Kahn in Provincetown.

7. Before meeting with Jacob Kahn for the first time, Asher receives an assignment from him to read a story from the New Testament. What is the story? How does Asher feel about reading it?

8. What does Jacob Kahn say about the first painting Asher creates of his enemy classmate?

9. What does Asher draw for his enemy classmate? Describe the picture.

10. Why does the Rebbe want Asher to study Russian?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Vocation" is a word that describes one's choice of career as a way to fulfill one's personhood. This novel heavily emphasizes vocation as a way to follow God. Compare and contrast Aryeh's choice to travel for the Rebbe with Asher's choice to become an artist. Do you think they choose appropriate vocations to express who they are on the inside? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

In this novel, each major character strives to live out his or her purpose in life, especially as it relates to the Jewish community. Which character do you think accomplishes this the most effectively? Which character accomplishes this the least effectively?

Essay Topic 3

Describe Anna Schaeffer's role in Asher's life. How do you feel about the way her employees arrive at Asher's apartment, carry away his paintings, and don't let him see them again until the show?

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