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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 has the literature of contemporary civilization to give according to Gurdjieff?
(a) the development of "word prostitution"
(b) the development of "an illusory view of life"
(c) the development of "superficiality in everyday life"
(d) the development of "lies"

2. Who was the fortuneteller whom Gurdjieff's aunt consulted?
(a) the idiot , Ivan Ivanovich
(b) the half-wit, Nicolai Brandikoff
(c) the half-wit, Eoung-Ashokh Mardiross
(d) the psychic, Feodor Moussorsky

3. How does Gurdjieff remember Pogossian?
(a) as a workaholic who became a wealthy ship owner
(b) as a lazy but dear friend
(c) as a fellow adventurer who never achieved his goals
(d) as a simple man with a deep faith

4. What was the title of the introduction Gurdjieff had originally planned for the thirtieth book?
(a) " The Meaning of Life as I Discovered It"
(b) "Why I Became a Writer"
(c) " A New World Devoid of Illusions"
(d) "Why I Am Against Contemporary Literature"

5. Who, in Gurdjieff's opinion, invents the grammar of languages?
(a) people who are on a lower level than ordinary simple people
(b) linguists
(c) university professors
(d) learned, well-educated grammarians

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the title of the anecdote Gurdjieff uses to show the inferiority of modern life to ancient wisdom showing that modern life and literature are poison to the human race.

2. Why did the subject of spiritualism make a strong impression on Gurdjieff?

3. Why did Gurdjieff go to Alexandropol?

4. Why did people think Dean Borsh was peculiar?

5. On their expedition in search of the school run by the Sarmoung Brotherhood what experience causes Gurdjieff and Pogossian great fear but then hilarious laughter?

Short Essay Questions

1. On their expedition to find the Sarmoung Brotherhood what other precious treasure does Gurdjieff find?

2. Which two animals does Gurdjieff think each man should embody and why?

3. Why did Gurdjieff go to Alexandropol?

4. What was the relationship between Gurdjieff's father and Dean Borsh?

5. Who was Gurdjieff's first tutor and what position did he hold?

6. What did Father Borsh devote his spare time to?

7. What did Father Borsh do sometimes for a rest?

8. What is Gurdjieff's criticism of contemporary journalism?

9. According to Gurdjieff into what three categories does contemporary literature fall and how does he describe them?

10. Why did people consider Father Borsh peculiar?

(see the answer keys)

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