Ella lowers her voice. “And, like, I know she can be totally off sometimes, but Kayla… she’s hysterical, you know that? Total entertainment”

The words swim before Mimi’s eyes. Hebrew and English letters dance on the paper, turning themselves into a nonsensical jumble.

She doesn’t know a single answer.

Mimi presses her fists into her eyes. Okay, calm down, think. We learned this in class. I took notes. I’ve got to remember something.

She doesn’t do well on tests at the best of times, and this one is coming on the heels of her late-night conversation with Shoshana. When she’d finally gotten around to studying, close to midnight, she’d been way too tired to process anything.

Start from the end. The most recent pesukim…

Mimi flips through the test booklet — so many pages! — and glances over at Shoshana. Her brow is furrowed, and she’s scribbling quickly. Mimi feels a pang; Shoshana has a good memory, she’ll pass without trying. While Mimi…

She skims the last few questions.

What does Rashi say is implied by the command to Moshe to lean his hand on Yehoshua? (2)

What is the significance of Moshe leaning both hands on Yehoshua? Refer to Rashi. (2)

Discuss the Torah’s views on leadership with reference to at least four ideas from two different mefarshim. (10)

She writes a tentative answer to the first question and tries the essay — it’s worth ten points, and an attempt will usually get something, at least. Then she notices a multiple-choice section, a few pages back. May as well give it a try.