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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. The boys find out that Balthesar has eight _________, a fact which amazes Biff.

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

4. Joshua learns to multiply _________, which gives Biff something to multiply at the market.

5. How many huge iron bolts are on the door that Balthesar says Biff and Joshua can not enter at any time?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does Biff do in order to give Joshua a chance to save all the children?

4. What happens when Joshua gives sight back to the guard he blinded while in a fit of rage?

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

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

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

8. What does Biff learn about John when Biff and Joshua are at the wedding at Cana?

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

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

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 label of being the Messiah is something which John and Joshua both believe to be their own.

Part 1: Why do you think John believes himself to be the Messiah?

Part 2: What is the value of having two characters in the town who may or may not be the Messiah?

Part 3: Why is the label of being the Messiah so important to the men?

Essay Topic 3

The theme of relationships is one the pervades the entire book, giving the reader a chance to see different relationships at work - and how these relationships affect other events in the book.

Part 1: What is the importance of the relationship between Biff and Joshua?

Part 2: What is the importance of the relationship between Joshua and Maggie? Between Biff and Maggie?

Part 3: Why do you think the relationship between Joshua and a best friend is introduced to the stories of the Bible in this book? What does this relationship provide for the role of Joshua? For the reader?

(see the answer keys)

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