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

Short Answer Questions

1. In one of the poems Rumi states, "We are charlatans... or maybe just a ______ hair brush in a painter's hand."

2. Rumi instructs us to "consider what the prophets have done. ______ wore fire for an anklet, Moses spoke to the sea."

3. Rumi asserts in his poems that "the miracle of ______ is himself, not what he said or did about the future."

4. Rumi's students saw ______ as a madman and he was eventually forced out of the area.

5. Rumi describes a ______ that wakes up one day to discover that he is "the entire vineyard, and the orchard too."

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Zuleikha, an Egyptian woman in love with Joseph, do with the shirt that Joseph wears in the story?

2. What does Rumi have to say about the road to Mecca when he is describing the idea that some mysteries aren't meant to be known?

3. Who does Rumi say will not be able to wake to the truth, according to the writings of Rumi?

4. What will happen after the traveler's legs become tired during the journey?

5. What is the real work of human beings, according to the writings of Rumi?

6. Why was Shams pushed out of the area by the students of Rumi, according to the beginning of the book?

7. What happens after Joseph is sold into slavery by his brothers, according to the writings of Rumi?

8. What is the question Shams asks Rumi, which leads Rumi to believe that Shams is a great person?

9. What happens with Joseph's shirt when he gives it to his brothers to help their father?

10. What will happen to a person's present life when they are going on a spiritual journey, according to the writings of Rumi?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Rumi tells the reader they must work as hard in the spiritual world as they do in the material world.

Part 1: Why do you think Rumi feels the spiritual world is so important in the life of the reader?

Part 2: How can one work as hard in the spiritual world as they do in the physical world?

Part 3: Do you think that you are working as hard in the spiritual world as you do in the material world?

Essay Topic 2

Rumi often gives the reader warnings about paying attention to the world around them, lest they miss something more important or beautiful.

Part 1: Do you think you are able to focus on the things which are important in your own life?

Part 2: Why do you think Rumi wants the reader to focus on everything around them?

Part 3: How do you look at the world? Do you focus on tiny details or can you focus on the big picture?

Essay Topic 3

In many cases, Rumi seems to be struggling with his feelings about God and about his life, writing them out in his poems.

Part 1: Do you think it's normal to have problems deciding what you feel about your religion and your faith?

Part 2: Why do you think Rumi continues to struggle with his relationship with God, its meaning, and its importance?

Part 3: Should there come a time when you don't have to struggle with the idea of your faith anymore?

(see the answer keys)

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