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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 did Ishmael's mother encourage him to do when he was staying with her?

2. What is the name of Kaukji's rebel group?

3. Where does Heusseini have a villa?

4. Why is Tabah considered an enemy village to Gideon?

5. On January 10, 1948, what do Kaukji's forces attack in Syria?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Ishmael's childhood like?

2. What happens when Ibrahim goes to the bank to withdraw money to pay for the boat he needs to go to Gaza?

3. In Chapter 16, what do Sheik Azziz and Ibrahim discuss during their trip?

4. What happens when Ibrahim refuses to give money or men to the Mufti and the Arab Higher Committee?

5. What happens to the British installations after the attacks led by Kaukji?

6. What happens during the United Nations meeting on November 29, 1947?

7. What advice does Brompton give regarding Plan D?

8. What do the Jewish people do when they first arrive?

9. What is Gideon's role after the news of the Jewish death camps?

10. What surprises the Arabs when they attack the Jews for the first time?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Research the history of Palestine during this time. How does this novel remain true to history? Where does the novel diverge? Why do you think this happens?

Essay Topic 2

How do the militant and rebel groups shape the development of Palestine and affect the wars in this novel? Who agrees with these actions and who disagrees? Why? What is the commentary the author is giving about these types of groups?

Essay Topic 3

How is the United Nations a character in this novel? How does the United Nations drive the plot and motivate the characters? Why does the author include the United Nations in this way in his novel?

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