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. Why will they/he continue to suffer?

2. What does the Cardinal say would happen if Jesus turned stones into bread?

3. What motivates the inquisitor besides a desire for power?

4. Where do the people believe the church is leading them?

5. What changes in himself does the grand inquisitor confess?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Alyosha agree about Ivan's story?

2. Why does Jesus deserve to be burned at the stake, according to the grand inquisitor?

3. Why does the grand inquisitor accuse Jesus of only caring for the strong?

4. Why does Ivan say Catholics don't like Masons?

5. According to the grand inquisitor, what would have happened if Jesus had changed the stones into bread?

6. How is the church giving people their freedom?

7. What does the grand inquisitor add to the first question when he restates it to the prisoner?

8. Why does the grand inquisitor value the weak?

9. Why does the grand inquisitor say Jesus refused in the second temptation?

10. Why does the grand inquisitor say the clergy will suffer?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write about Alyosha's purpose in the narrative. What role does the author choose for him to play? What effect does his existence have on the narrative? Give at least one example to explain your thinking.

Essay Topic 2

How do the philosophies of Jesus and the grand inquisitor differ? Compare and contrast the two philosophies.

Essay Topic 3

Based upon his speech in the prison, write about the effects the grand inquisitor believes a reappearance of Jesus would have on 16th century citizens and Christianity.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 875 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample