View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What did this angel command him to recite?

2. There was more understanding of Islam by the eighteenth century. How did Islam become accepted?

3. Are many of the views and values of Islam similar to those of Judaism and Christianity?

4. What did Muhammad claim was a miracle?

5. Why was Muhammad called the unlettered prophet?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did Muhammad do during the last twenty-three years of his life? Why did he do this?

2. Why were Muslims seen as the enemy of Christians, which led to the Crusades?

3. How did Muhammad compare to Jesus?

4. When does the challenge of Islam to the West first begin? How was Islam viewed at that time?

5. On what does Armstrong believe a religion should not be judged? Why might she feel this way?

6. What is meant by umma? How did Arabs feel about this? Why?

7. Describe the Muslim world despite the influence of imperialist beliefs in the Western world.

8. How does Armstrong compare the Quran with Christian writings?

9. Why were Muslims seen as pagans and many Christians attempted to convert them?

10. According to Armstrong, on what are most Western views of Islam based?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Muhammad was very successful after the move to Medina.

Part 1) Describe the events leading up to the move to Medina. Why was Muhammad so successful in Medina? How did this affect the Quran? Was Muhammad's success good for the people of Arabia? Why or why not? Was it good for Islam? Why or why not?

Part 2) How does Muhammad's power affect him? How does this compare to those in power today?

Part 3) How dose Islam today reflect Muhammad's power at this time? Is this good or bad? Why?

Essay Topic 2

The Meccans were unable to get rid of Muhammad and the umma.

Part 1) Why were they unable to get rid of Muhammad and the umma? How does this affect Meccan society? What does this mean for Muhammad and the umma?

Part 2) What does this mean for Islam and the whole of Arabia?

Part 3) How different might the world today be if Muhammad had not successfully overtaken Mecca? How important was this taken over for Islam?

Essay Topic 3

Armstrong compares the writings of the Quran with Christian writings.

Part 1) Describe the comparison. Why do these similarities and differences exist?

Part 2) What is Armstrong's purpose in comparing these two religious writings? How does this support her purpose for writing this book?

Part 3) Why might Armstrong have such an attachment to Islam? How does this attachment affect her beliefs and actions?

Part 4) To what do you have a strong attachment? Why? How does this affect and influence you?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,108 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample