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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In one poem in Book 2, Chapter 1, Rumi states that every sheik rides a lion, whether that lion is:
(a) Male or female.
(b) Great or small.
(c) Visible or invisible.
(d) Young or old.

2. When the town friend in "Town and Country" finally visits his friend in the country, how do things go?
(a) Better than expected.
(b) So-so.
(c) Poorly.
(d) Extremely well.

3. How long does it take before the town friend in "Town and Country" finally decides to visit his friend in the country?
(a) Eight years.
(b) Nineteen years.
(c) Five years.
(d) Twelve years.

4. In a poem in Chapter 2, Book 2, about a king who loves a girl, what does the doctor say is afflicting her?
(a) She misses her parents.
(b) She's in love with another man.
(c) She's confused by the king's behavior around her.
(d) She wants to go home to her husband.

5. Rumi advises people to accept help from holy scriptures and then:
(a) Seek a wise counselor.
(b) Re-read the same scriptures a hundred times.
(c) Find their inherent flaws.
(d) Let them go.

6. Analyzing Rumi's poetry can be challenging because it is clear at points and:
(a) Reckless now and again.
(b) Offensive in places.
(c) Elusive in other ways.
(d) Funny at times.

7. Rumi blends images from Christianity and Islam to:
(a) Enforce religion upon his students.
(b) Try to reconcile all people in his village.
(c) Point out the absurdity of religion.
(d) Create his own stories.

8. Which prominent individual favors Ayaz in Book 2, Chapter 3?
(a) Priest.
(b) King.
(c) Sheik.
(d) Sorcerer.

9. Rumi's poetry gives us a glimpse of what?
(a) The difference between scholars and peasants.
(b) The sociological order of his place and time.
(c) The workings of a utopia.
(d) The effects of male dominance.

10. Which of the three fish in the fish story in Book 2, Chapter 1, ends up getting caught?
(a) The one of medium intelligence.
(b) None.
(c) The least intelligent one.
(d) The smartest one.

11. What is the premise in Rumi's "Town and Country"?
(a) A peasant gets lost in a town.
(b) A king goes to the country.
(c) A man visits a friend.
(d) A princess moves from the country to a town.

12. As sheik, Rumi notes that effective leaders need to do what?
(a) Focus on common good and the needs of their people.
(b) Give in to their purely selfish motives.
(c) Find a spouse who will be a companion and co-leader.
(d) Intimidate the people.

13. In "Town and Country," the countryside man becomes good friends with a:
(a) Librarian.
(b) Gardener.
(c) Shopkeeper.
(d) Cook.

14. In the section called "Solomon Poems," Rumi's poetry makes direct references to:
(a) Islam and Christianity.
(b) Hinduism and Christianity.
(c) Judaism and Buddhism.
(d) Buddhism and Islam.

15. In "Town and Country," what does the countryside man do?
(a) Visits the town for a day.
(b) Sculpts a statue in town.
(c) Pitches a tent in town.
(d) Falls in love with a lady in town.

Short Answer Questions

1. In addition to educating his listeners and readers, Rumi strives to:

2. According to the book, in what state does Coleman Barks live today?

3. In Book 2, Chapter 3, through his loyalty, Ayaz goes above and beyond what:

4. In one of the poems in Chapter 2, Book 2, a king falls in love with a girl and decides to do what?

5. What is the Mathnawi?

(see the answer keys)

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