QAR Questions for Lew Wallace s Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ Book First: Chapters 6-10 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. What date (according to our calendar) was given for the meeting of the wise men? The wise men met on December 25 th, 4 BC. 2. What type of activity takes place at the Joppa Gate? The Joppa Gate serves as an open-air market, as well as an entrance to the city. 3. What is the relationship between Joseph and Mary? Joseph and Mary are husband and wife, but also uncle and niece.
4. What accommodations did the innkeeper provide for Joseph and Mary? Because there was no room in the khan, the innkeeper gave them room in a cave that had served as a stable. 5. What was the conclusion by the shepherds about the source of the light shining in the Bethlehem night? It was decided that the light was the ladder to heaven that the patriarch Jacob saw in his dream. 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. Why does Joseph of Nazareth think he should be treated differently from the other people at the khan? Joseph is a descendent of King David, whose birthplace Bethlehem is. The house in the khan is also believed to be the childhood home of David. 7. What is Mary s opinion of Joseph? Though Mary respects him as her husband and provider, she is not always interested in what interests him. She sometimes tunes him out when he rambles on. 8. How is Jerusalem shown to be a cosmopolitan city? Though many Jews inhabit the Judean capital, there are other nationalities represented. Roman soldiers are present as the nation s conquerors. Greeks are also inhabitants or travelers. Merchants provide a wide range of goods to appeal to many cultures.
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. How does the author portray Mary as someone far from ordinary? Compared to the typical Jew, Mary is fairer. She is described as blond-haired and blue-eyed, like her ancestor, King David. This gives her a more regal appearance and manner. Silent and patient, she rides on the donkey led like royalty by Joseph. All who see her pause to gaze on her otherworldliness. 10. How does the author begin to build up the tension between Jew and Roman? The cause of Joseph and Mary s journey is the registration for a Roman tax. Along the way, many Jew comment on the oppressiveness of the tax and the Roman government in general. This sets up the theme of freedom, to be given a different definition at a later time by the Christ. 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. In the Middle East, hospitality was an extremely important trait. It was expected and could even be demanded by travelers. Discuss the role of such hospitality in today s culture. Student answers will vary.
Name Date Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ Book First: Chapters 6-10 Lew Wallace I. RIGHT THERE 1. What date (according to our calendar) was given for the meeting of the wise men? 2. What type of activity takes place at the Joppa Gate? 3. What is the relationship between Joseph and Mary? 4. What accommodations did the innkeeper provide for Joseph and Mary?
5. What was the conclusion by the shepherds about the source of the light shining in the Bethlehem night? II. THINK AND SEARCH 6. Why does Joseph of Nazareth think he should be treated differently from the other people at the khan? 7. What is Mary s opinion of Joseph?
8. How is Jerusalem shown to be a cosmopolitan city? III. AUTHOR AND YOU 9. How does the author portray Mary as someone far above ordinary?
10. How does the author begin to build up the tension between Jew and Roman?
IV. ON YOUR OWN 11. In the Middle East, hospitality was an extremely important trait. It was expected and could even be demanded by travelers. Discuss the role of such hospitality in today s culture.
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