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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. Bartholomew prefers the company of __________, who are not allowed at the wedding, which is why he is not invited along.

2. Gaspar receives the boys at the monastery and gives them __________ for names, orders a monk to feed them, and tells them their lessons will begin in the morning.

3. The man that helps Joshua and Biff is from the ___________ caste, which makes him an outcast.

4. What does Biff learn about when he pays for lessons from Kashmir?

5. _________ wants to save the daughter of the man they are with, as well as to save other children who are up for death.

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What are the only things John eats, as found out by Biff and Joshua when they camp with him?

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

4. What happens when Joshua is able to let go of all his concepts of self during his lessons?

5. What does Joy teach Biff when he is paralyzed by the poison in his tea?

6. What is the parents' response to the actions of Biff and Joshua?

7. What does Biff give to Maggie when they meet outside the Sanhedrin?

8. What is the new television addiction that Raziel has begun after his initial interest in soap operas?

9. What does Maggie do in order to hopefully become divorced by Jakan?

10. What do the beggars see after they have been cured of their blindness by Joshua for their kindness?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In order to become the Messiah, Joshua has to learn from numerous teachers. His journey is a long one and one that makes him more well-rounded and more in control of his emotions.

Part 1: Why do you think Moore had Joshua obtain knowledge from the three different wise men?

Part 2: Which of the three wise men provided Joshua with the most important lesson? Why did you choose that wise man?

Part 3: Could Joshua have learned these lessons on his own? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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