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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the three brothers in Chapter 2, Book 2 ends up marrying the Chinese princess in the end?
(a) Middle.
(b) Oldest.
(c) Youngest.
(d) None.

2. In the poem in Chapter 2, Book 2, about the king who loves the girl, what is Rumi's message about real love?
(a) Real love causes a person to do beautiful things.
(b) In rare cases, infatuation is equivalent to real love.
(c) Infatuation will do until real love is discovered.
(d) Real love depends on more than just physical beauty.

3. When King Solomon woos a queen in Book 2, Chapter 1, he asks that she do what?
(a) Give up her worldly possessions.
(b) Leave her children behind.
(c) Learn how to cook.
(d) Prove her love for him.

4. Rumi is considered a master at creating what?
(a) Discord.
(b) Unity.
(c) Revolution.
(d) Humor.

5. What does the fish with medium intelligence do in the tale of three fish in Book 2, Chapter 1?
(a) He laughs at the first fish.
(b) He rushes after the first fish.
(c) He eats two bugs.
(d) He finds a solution to his predicament.

6. In one of the poems in Chapter 2, Book 2, the girl that a king falls in love with becomes ill, which concerns him greatly. What does he do?
(a) Sends for a doctor.
(b) Asks a servant to make her some soup.
(c) Prays for her recovery.
(d) Sends her away.

7. The "Solomon Poems" are devoted to the spiritual life, referring to:
(a) How one can buy his or her way to heaven.
(b) This world, not the next.
(c) Man's fruitless pursuits.
(d) The hereafter.

8. To Rumi, political governance is not so much about military maneuvers but more about what?
(a) Treating people like little children.
(b) Creating balance and harmony.
(c) Looking like you know what you're doing.
(d) Acquiring wealth and status.

9. A recurring theme prominent in Book 2, Chapter 2, is what?
(a) Celebration.
(b) Anger.
(c) Jealousy.
(d) Abuse.

10. What kind of leader is Rumi for his people?
(a) Religious and political.
(b) Judicial and political.
(c) Judicial only.
(d) Religious only.

11. According to the book, in what state does Coleman Barks live today?
(a) Colorado.
(b) Florida.
(c) Georgia.
(d) Oregon.

12. Which of the following is NOT a title of one of Rumi's works?
(a) These Exhaling Sounds.
(b) So Recklessly Exposed.
(c) Start Your Lives Over.
(d) These Lovely Bones.

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

14. The "Huuuu" mentioned in Book 2, Chapter 3 is what?
(a) Means of transportation.
(b) Chant.
(c) Drink.
(d) Article of clothing.

15. Rumi wrote freely about various religious figures because he was familiar with them and:
(a) Wanted to point out their flaws.
(b) Needed their teachings to support his images.
(c) Wanted to be diplomatic.
(d) Comfortable with their teachings.

Short Answer Questions

1. At the start of the group of poems in Book 2, Chapter 2, Coleman Barks gives an introduction that includes folklore from what religious tradition?

2. Despite high tension between different religions during his lifetime, Rumi was able to do what?

3. What is the greater message of Rumi's musings about candles in Chapter 3 of Book 2?

4. In a poem in Chapter 2, Book 2, about a king who loves a girl, what does the doctor say is afflicting her?

5. In one poem in Book 2, Chapter 1, Rumi uses the image of Jesus Christ riding atop a donkey to explain a lesson about what?

(see the answer keys)

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