question: CHAPTER IX

THE SMITING OF AMON

That evening I sat ill at ease in my work-chamber in Seti's palace, making pretence to write, I who felt that great evils threatened my lord the Prince, and knew not what to do to turn them from him. The door opened, and old Pambasa the chamberlain appeared and addressed me by my new titles, saying that the Hebrew lady Merapi, who had been my nurse in sickness, wished to speak with me. Presently she came and stood before me.

"Scribe Ana," she said, "I have but just seen my uncle Jabez, who has come, or been sent, with a message to me," and she hesitated.

"Why was he sent, Lady? To bring you news of Laban?"

"Not so. Laban has fled away and none know where he is, and Jabez has only escaped much trouble as the uncle of a traitress by undertaking this mission."

"What is the mission?"

"To pray me, if I would save myself from death and the vengeance of God, to work upon the heart of his Highness, which I know not how to do----"

"Yet I think you might find means, Merapi."

"----save through you, his friend and counsellor," she went on, turning away her face. "Jabez has learned that it is in the mind of Pharaoh utterly to destroy the people of Israel."

"How does he know that, Merapi?"

"I cannot say, but I think all the Hebrews know. I knew it myself though none had told me. He has learned also that this cannot be done under the law of Egypt unless the Prince who is heir to the throne and of full age consents. Now I am come to pray you to pray the Prince not to consent."
1. What people all have a certain knowledge?
2. What do they know?
3. According to whom?
4. Who agrees with this idea?
5. Whose place did someone try to do their job in?
6. Were they writing enthusiastically?
7. What did they fear?
8. Did someone enter?
9. Who?
10. What was her job?
11. What did she want?
12. Who had Merapi recently interacted with?
13. Are they related?
14. How so?
15. Who had run and is missing?
16. How has her relative avoided problems?
****
answer: 1. Hebrews
2. that Pharoah wishes to destroy Hebrews
3. Jabez
4. Merapi
5. Seti's
6. no
7. threats to his Prince
8. yes
9. Pambasa
10. chamberlain
11. to announce Merapi
12. Jabez
13. yes
14. Jabez is her uncle
15. Laban
16. by sending Merapi to plead

question: Abidjan, Ivory Coast (CNN) -- The European Union announced a recovery package of 180 million euros for the Ivory Coast on Tuesday as residents of the African nation attempted to adjust to life with a clear leader and relative stability after months of bloodshed.

Forces arrested former President Laurent Gbagbo after storming his residence on Monday. Gbagbo defied calls to step down after an electoral commission declared he lost a presidential election in November to Alassane Ouattara. Ouattara has been recognized internationally as the legitimate winner.

A violent power struggle followed the standoff, with supporters loyal to both sides taking to the streets in protests since December. Hundreds have been killed, according to the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Andris Piebalgs, EU commissioner for development, announced the recovery package on Tuesday.

"We will stand by Ivory Coast and its people by immediately starting to work with the government of President Ouattara to support him in getting the country on the right track towards reconciliation, democracy, economic recovery and sustainable development," he said.

The funding will provide support to ensure basic needs for citizens such as health, water, sanitation and to support the agricultural sector, Piebalgs said in a statement. It also will clear the Ivory Coast's debt accumulated through the European Investment Bank.

Top military brass pledged their support to Ouattara in a ceremony Tuesday at a hotel in Abdijan. Gen. Phillipe Mangou, Gbagbo's former army chief of staff, said on state television that the generals were received by Ouattara and given orders to take measures to restore order in the country.
1. Who won the recent election?
2. Who was the prior leader?
****
answer: 1. Alassane Ouattara
2. Laurent Gbagbo

question: (CNN) -- For Alex Zanardi, losing both legs in a life-threatening crash was only the beginning of a new chapter.

This year, the Italian racing driver, who has competed in Formula One and Indycar series, added two Paralympic gold medals and a win in the New York marathon's handcycle division to his career highlights.

Reflecting on what lies next, he says: "I have to tell you that the possibilities are not lacking in my life, and this is something for which I feel very lucky."

At school, Zanardi didn't compete in sports much, "because I was really fat as a kid."

After his sister was killed in a car crash his parents were eager to keep him off the road -- but they did allow Zanardi to race go-karts.

"I clearly remember that first day on the go-kart being the best in my life," he says.

Zanardi first raced in Formula One in 1992. After a contract with Lotus ended, he switched to Indycar racing, ultimately winning two championships.

In America he became a popular driver, making a signature move out of performing post-race donuts on the track, and earning the nickname Latka (a reference to a character in '80s sitcom "Taxi").

The crash

In 2001, Zanardi was leading in a Champ car race at Lausitzring in Germany, with 13 laps to go. But as he emerged from a final pit-stop, something went wrong.

"I lost control of the car in the acceleration lane, spun around and basically ended up ... a sitting duck in the middle of the racing line."
1. Did Alex Zanardi have a sister?
2. Did she die young?
3. How
4. Did this make his parents nervous about him driving?
5. What did they let him drive?
6. What does he think of as the best day in his life?
7. When did he begin Formula One?
8. For who?
9. What did he do when that obligation was through
10. Did he win anything?
11. What?
12. Where is he from?
13. Where was he popular?
14. Did he have a move he was known for?
15. What was it?
16. Where?
17. Where did his nickname come from?
18. What was it?
19. Does he still have his legs?
20. When did he lose them?
****
answer:
1. Yes
2. Yes
3. in a car crash
4. yes
5. go-karts
6. that first day on the go-kart
7. 1992
8. Lotus
9. he switched to Indycar racing
10. Yes
11. two championships.
12. Italy
13. In America
14. yes
15. performing post-race donuts
16. on the track
17. a character in '80s sitcom "Taxi"
18. Latka
19. No
20. in a life-threatening crash