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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Coleman Barks is famous for what?
(a) Teaching a Rumi poetry class at Colorado State University.
(b) Teaching a Rumi poetry class at Baylor University.
(c) Translating Rumi's work in to Russian.
(d) Translating Rumi's work in to English.

2. According to a poem in Book 1, Chapter 2, what happens when you put pond water into a larger body of water?
(a) The pond mourns its loss.
(b) The water molecules are still separate.
(c) The larger body of water is enriched.
(d) The original water disappears.

3. In the end, what does the character Ayaz do in a poem in Book 1, Chapter 3?
(a) Hides in fear.
(b) Refuses to obey the King.
(c) Obeys the King.
(d) Runs away.

4. Most of Rumi's poems presented in this book exhibit what form?
(a) Strict syllable counts.
(b) Rhyming verse.
(c) Light free verse.
(d) Formal repeating pattern.

5. What was salient and peculiar about Rumi's father?
(a) He had visions.
(b) He was afraid of horses.
(c) He spoke seven languages.
(d) He had no facial hair.

Short Answer Questions

1. In addition to being a religious leader, Rumi was a what?

2. In a poem in Book 1, Chapter 2, when a city is taken by siege, what happens to one of the invaders?

3. What happened after Shams disappeared a second time?

4. In a poem entitled "Rough Metaphors," Rumi asserts that a lover's reverence is often sheltered in:

5. Rumi's short-story poems range from less than fifty lines to approximately what length?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the poet's message about friendship in his writings about a frog and a mouse?

2. How has Rumi's poetry impacted Coleman Barks?

3. What makes Rumi's poems emotionally well integrated?

4. Describe Husam Chelebi's role as scribe.

5. Explain the disappearances of Rumi's friend, Shams.

6. What are some of the challenges of translating Rumi's poems?

7. How does the role of gender come into play in many of Rumi's poems?

8. How would you describe Rumi's writing style?

9. What lessons are found within the poem "Cry Out In Your Weakness?"

10. How would one describe the tavern poems?

(see the answer keys)

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