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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. Joshua and his disciples hear about the __________ of John the Baptist.

2. Joshua selects from his disciples those who are to become ___________, or carriers of his messages.

3. Where is the man from who gave Joshua some help when he was bleeding?

4. Where is the wedding that Maggie quickly invites Biff and Joshua to before her husband gets home?

5. What is John doing to Joshua when the sky opens up and declares that Joshua is God's son?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the identity Joy now promotes for herself in order to keep herself safe from harm?

2. Why does Joshua heal the servant of Gaius, even though Biff does not agree with this practice?

3. When Biff and Joshua are traveling on a road flanked by fields of very tall grass, what is the warning they receive?

4. What happens when the man at the inn in Antioch gives Joshua a piece of cloth to wipe his face?

5. How do the monks test those who want to be admitted into the monastery when they arrive at the gates?

6. Why does Herod fear Joshua and want him to be killed as a result of his fears?

7. What is the story Rumi tells Joshua and Biff about his life and his current situation?

8. Why do Biff and Joshua decide to try to travel around the Great Wall of China?

9. What puzzles Biff when they approach the fortress of Balthesar that is built into a side of a cliff?

10. What is Biff's mother's reaction to his return home after so many years away with Joshua?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of the things which set Joshua apart from the rest of the boys of the time is that he seems to be afraid of nothing.

Part 1: Why do you think Joshua is afraid of nothing? What makes him free of fear?

Part 2: Do you think it's a good thing to be without fear? Why or why not?

Part 3: Why do you think Joseph wants Biff to teach Joshua how to be more human?

Essay Topic 2

The concept of marriage is quite different in this book, with the custom being that most marry at 14.

Part 1: What do you think about people being married at the age of 14? Why was this acceptable at the time?

Part 2: Do you think Maggie and Biff would have been a successful couple if they were able to marry?

Part 3: Why do you think marriages were arranged during this time? What was the value of arranging marriages?

Essay Topic 3

The concept of a miracle is a clouded one in this story. Though most of the time people believe all miracles are great and produce positive results, this isn't always the case.

Part 1: Do you personally think miracles are always good things? Why or why not?

Part 2: Why do you think the book made sure to show that not all miracles produce positive results?

Part 3: How did you feel when the miracle Joshua performed ended up angering the parents? How do you think the parents should have felt?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 750 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample