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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. What did Gurdjieff dream of specializing in?

2. According to Gurdjieff, contemporary literature falls into which three categories?

3. What legend did Gurdjieff's father and Dean Borsh discuss all night while Gurdjieff and his uncle listened to them?

4. According to Father Borsh what two things should a priest be able to do for the members of his flock?

5. Why does Gurdjieff criticize newspaper literary critics?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Gurdjieff and Pogossian become good friends?

2. How did Gurdjieff happen to see the famous ashokhs of those days?

3. Describe Father Borsh.

4. Describe the Essene Brotherhood.

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

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

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

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

9. Describe Bogachevsky.

10. Why did Gurdjieff go to Alexandropol?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

1) Describe the anecdote Gurdjieff tells entitled "The Conversation of the Two Sparrows". What is the lesson contained in the anecdote?

2) What did Gurdjieff think were the shortcomings of the contemporary literature of his day?

3) Recount the story of the family who died from eating poison sausages. Who caused that tragedy and how?

4) Choose one of the above questions and answer it in as much detail as possible.

Essay Topic 2

1) Who is Pogossian? How and where does Gurdjieff meet him? What do they have in common?

2) What does Pogossian choose to do instead of entering the priesthood?

3) What do Gurdjieff and Pogossian find among the ancient Armenian ruins near Alexandropol?

4) Choose one of these three topics to write on.

Essay Topic 3

1) Describe Gurdjieff's theories about translation of languages.

2) Why does Gurdjieff think grammars have harmed contemporary literature?

3) What are some of Gurdjieff's theories about translation of languages and thinking in one language while attempting to speak another?

4) Choose one of the three topics to write about.

(see the answer keys)

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