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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. Who is Reynold Nicholson?
(a) Writer who wrote a complete biography about Rumi.
(b) Critic who disliked Rumi's work.
(c) Scholar who attempted to translate some of Rumi's poems.
(d) Religious leader who quoted from Rumi's poems extensively.

2. What post did Rumi inherit?
(a) Treasurer.
(b) King.
(c) Scribe.
(d) Sheik.

3. How many years did it take Coleman Barks to truly comprehend Shams Tabriz through Rumi's poetry?
(a) 37.
(b) 6.
(c) 15.
(d) 28.

4. Whether writing about friendship, love, or God, a common theme covered by Rumi is:
(a) Submissiveness.
(b) Betrayal.
(c) Lust.
(d) Companionship.

5. When did Coleman Barks first become interested in Rumi's poetry?
(a) 1969.
(b) 1976.
(c) 1952.
(d) 1985.

Short Answer Questions

1. For Coleman Barks, part of the experience of grasping Rumi's poems is what?

2. Many of Rumi's poems are so personal that they help readers reconnect to what?

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

4. In addition to being a religious leader, Rumi was a what?

5. Why did Rumi's family flee the place of his birth?

Short Essay Questions

1. Summarize Rumi's early life.

2. What does Coleman Barks mean when he indicates that part of his experience of perceiving Rumi's poems is transcendental?

3. Describe the "short story" model Rumi uses for many of his poems.

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

5. Are Rumi's poems emotional or analytical?

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

7. Describe Husam Chelebi's role as scribe.

8. What lessons are found within the poem "Cry Out In Your Weakness?"

9. 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?

10. Use the "me and you" example in this section to address Rumi's thoughts on identity.

(see the answer keys)

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