Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ

Transcription

1 QAR Questions for Lew Wallace s Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ Book Second: Chapters 1-3 What is QAR? QAR (Question-Answer-Relationship) is a method of questioning that engages a reader s thinking at all levels. There are four levels of questions, dividing into two sections based on the location of the answers. IN THE BOOK QUESTIONS These questions require answers that can be found directly in the text. Right There In Right There questions, the answer will be found in one place, on one page, in one paragraph, perhaps even in one sentence. The reader can point to the answer right there. 1. Who was made procurator of Judea after Archelaus was exiled? Valerius Gratus became the procurator, with his headquarters at Caesarea, instead of at Jerusalem. 2. How long have Judah and Messala been separated? The two friends have spent five years apart. 3. What position does Messala promise to Judah should he become prefect? Messala offers to make Judah the high priest.

2 4. Who is Amrah? Amrah is an Egyptian slave, who has been Judah s nurse through childhood. 5. What is Amrah s opinion of Messala? Amrah says she has never liked Messala. Think and Search In Think and Search questions, the answer will still be in the text, but the details necessary to answer the questions may be in more than one location. To answer the question effectively, the reader will have to think and search throughout the text. 6. What changes occurred in the government of Judea? Herod died, and the country was divided among his sons. However, Judea was eventually made a Roman province ruled by a procurator. The high priest was chosen by Rome, despite its unpopularity. 7. Describe Messala s character. Messala is of a noble Roman family and acts like it. He is proud and contemptuous of the Jews, despite a Jew being his close friend. He is ambitious and will stop at nothing to reach his goals of being assigned a high position in Rome. 8. What is the status of Judah s family? The Ben-Hurs are wealthy Sadducees, who live in an opulent manner. They have tried to preserve their Jewish heritage in the midst of their wealth.

3 IN YOUR HEAD QUESTIONS These questions require a higher level of thinking. While details from the text may or may not be used, the primary source of the answer will involve the reader s own thinking in relation to the text, the author s meaning, and the application of the theme outside the text. Author and You In Author and You questions, the reader is required to analyze some aspect of the text to derive meaning. This may be the theme, tone, mood, etc. 9. Describe how the author continues to increase the tension between Jew and Roman in the government of Judea. Rome has effectively eliminated most Jewish control. The high priest is now chosen by the Roman procurator, rather than by the Jews. In the past, Rome has tried to preserve harmony by respecting the Jewish religion, but this has changed with the coming of Valerius Gratus. 10. Describe how the author continues to increase the tension between Jew and Roman in the friendship between Judah and Messala. Though the two have long been friends, Messala has returned more Roman than ever. His pride in being the conqueror of the Jews is evident in his contempt he shows toward the Jewish people. Judah comes to despise this new Messala, hoping in some way to bring back the old one. This is symbolic of the return to freedom dreamed of by the Jews, hoping the promised Messiah will come and set all things to right.

4 On Your Own In On Your Own questions, the reader reflects on the meaning of some aspect derived from the text but is not tied to the text directly. This question can be answered without even reading the text. The text serves merely as a springboard for a discussion of a much broader significance. 11. Judah and Messala s friendship changes from what it had been. Should their friendship come to an end, Judah wonders. Discuss the causes justifying the end of a friendship. What are the tipping points that make it wise for a person to walk away? What things should be born, being less important than loyalty? Student answers will vary.

5 Name Date Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ Book Second: Chapters 1-3 Lew Wallace I. RIGHT THERE 1. Who was made procurator of Judea after Archelaus was exiled? 2. How long have Judah and Messala been separated? 3. What position does Messala promise to Judah should he become prefect? 4. Who is Amrah?

6 5. What is Amrah s opinion of Messala? II. THINK AND SEARCH 6. What changes occurred in the government of Judea? 7. Describe Messala s character.

7 8. What is the status of Judah s family? III. AUTHOR AND YOU 9. Describe how the author continues to increase the tension between Jew and Roman in the government of Judea.

8 10. Describe how the author continues to increase the tension between Jew and Roman in the friendship between Judah and Messala.

9 IV. ON YOUR OWN 11. Judah and Messala s friendship changes from what it had been. Should their friendship come to an end, Judah wonders. Discuss the causes for justifying the end of a friendship. What are the tipping points that make it wise for a person to walk away? What things should be born, being less important than loyalty?

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