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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. At times the character Hallaj can be tender and loving, but other times he can be what?
(a) Insecure.
(b) Clumsy.
(c) Abusive.
(d) Whiny.

2. Rumi's short-story poems range from less than fifty lines to approximately what length?
(a) Two hundred lines.
(b) Ten thousand lines.
(c) A hundred twenty lines.
(d) Two thousand lines.

3. In Rumi's string metaphor, the string connects two animals by their what?
(a) Necks.
(b) Wrists.
(c) Ankles.
(d) Ears.

4. According to Rumi, how should one treat his or her baser nature?
(a) With severe strictness.
(b) With kindness.
(c) Passionately.
(d) Cautiously.

5. In the poems where Rumi includes a frog as one of the main characters, there is a deep friendship that develops between this frog and a:
(a) Cat.
(b) Fish.
(c) Mouse.
(d) Bird.

Short Answer Questions

1. In the end, what does the character Ayaz do in a poem in Book 1, Chapter 3?

2. When was the New Expanded Edition of this book published?

3. In some of his poems, Rumi refers to religious figures:

4. After Shams went away the first time, how did he return?

5. When speaking of sugar and vinegar, Rumi notes that a spoonful of vinegar:

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the poem about a mouse and a camel convey about friendship and honesty?

2. With regards to beauty, what important connection does Rumi infer when he references a beautiful woman in the poem about a city being invaded by men driven by sexual desire?

3. How is Coleman Barks associated with Rumi?

4. Summarize the poem about a man getting a tattoo. What message is delivered through this poem?

5. What is the poet's message about friendship in his writings about a frog and a mouse?

6. Summarize the poet's message about the importance of balance with respect to the "animal soul."

7. Are Rumi's poems emotional or analytical?

8. How does Rumi refer to his friends in the poems within Book 1, Chapter 3?

9. Explain the disappearances of Rumi's friend, Shams.

10. What might you conclude about Rumi's ideas regarding the importance of friendship?

(see the answer keys)

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