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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. What is a "Literary Preface," in the case of this story?
(a) A preface explaining what literature is.
(b) An introduction referencing stories with similar aspects.
(c) A well-written introduction.
(d) A introduction explaining why the subsequent story is literature.

2. According to Ivan, what do the characters Our Lady and God discuss in "The Wanderings of Our Lady through Hell"?
(a) Mercy for all those in hell.
(b) The history of the world.
(c) Forgiveness for "Our Lady."
(d) The life of Jesus.

3. Before he is arrested in the story, what doesn't Jesus do?
(a) Heal a blind man.
(b) Appear in Seville.
(c) Heal a child.
(d) Preach a sermon.

4. What city does Ivan's story about the Grand Inquisitor take place in?
(a) Seville.
(b) Paris.
(c) St. Petersburg.
(d) Moscow.

5. Who is the prisoner's visitor?
(a) The king.
(b) The girl he healed.
(c) The cardinal.
(d) The woman from the crowd.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does the crowd tremble in obedience to the cardinal?

2. What breaks Ivan's Narrative?

3. When does Ivan say religiously themed plays, chiefly from the Old Testament, stopped being performed in Moscow?

4. What does the the grand inquisitor tell Jesus his fate will be the next day?

5. What does the prisoner do to be recognized by the people?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the cardinal do once he is shut in the room with the prisoner?

2. Why does Ivan repeatedly mention Dante in his preface?

3. Why does the inquisitor think the three questions are important?

4. What does Alyosha think of the old man's behavior?

5. Why does Ivan call Jesus' appearance a visit?

6. Why does Ivan suggest some people's connection in Jesus began to dwindle?

7. Describe the grand inquisitor's attitude to the three questions that tempted Jesus.

8. Why does Jesus appear at the specific time and place in Spain?

9. Why does God find it hard to spare the sinners in hell despite Our Lady's pleas for mercy?

10. Why does the priest in the funeral look perplexed?

(see the answer keys)

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