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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. Whom does the red-bearded man and his group believe that the crucified man is?

2. What do the believers begin to call Barabbas after he returns from his visit to the village on the mountain?

3. What event causes the soldiers near the cross to jump to their feet and grab their weapons?

4. Whom does Barabbas continue to seek out while he stays in Jerusalem?

5. Where does the hare-lipped girl live?

Short Essay Questions

1. What statement does the fat woman make that offends the hare-lipped girl?

2. What does Barabbas give the hare-lipped girl at the fat woman's house?

3. Describe hare-lipped girl's actions and thoughts on the resurrection morning.

4. What does the red-bearded man attribute to Barabbas's sudden interest in Jesus?

5. Describe Barabbas' actions and thoughts on the resurrection morning.

6. Why does Barabbas feel he has a stronger bond with Jesus than the Christians?

7. Why is Barabbas pleased that he did not see the resurrection?

8. To what do the characters at the fat woman's house attribute the halo Barabbas describes seeing?

9. How do the characters react when the hill goes dark?

10. Why doesn't Barabbas believe that Jesus could be the Son of God?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is Barabbas's reaction to the physical appearance of the resurrected man and what conclusion does he come to about the value of the resurrection? How does Barabbas surprise the resurrected man and what does this indicate about Barabbas' character? How does Barabbas's visit with the resurrected man affect his character?

Essay Topic 2

What might be Barabbas's motivation for returning to the band of thieves? Compare and contrast the roles Barabbas plays within the band of thieves both before and after Jesus' crucifixion. What events and experiences influenced any change he might have experienced and why?

Essay Topic 3

How do the themes of monotheism (the worship of one God) and polytheism (the worship of multiple gods) affect the characters in the novel? What implications does the introduction of monotheism have for the Romans? What implications would the introduction of polytheism have for the Jews and Christians? Why might Barabbas have chosen to search for faith in both theologies?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 807 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample