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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. In each of the love triangles presented in Chapter 2, Book 2, the woman's behavior:
(a) Saves the day.
(b) Is difficult to translate.
(c) Remains the same throughout all the stories.
(d) Changes with each story.

2. What is the Mathnawi?
(a) Six volumes of poetry Rumi wrote when Husam Chelebi was his scribe.
(b) A code of conduct expected of scholars who studied directly under Rumi.
(c) Supreme counselor Rumi and other poets of his era turned to for guidance.
(d) The law of the land followed by Rumi and his contemporaries.

3. The first poem in Book 2, Chapter 3 is about the story of:
(a) Noah's Ark.
(b) The Commandments.
(c) Genesis.
(d) The Resurrection.

4. Kharraqani has difficulties with his disapproving:
(a) Father.
(b) Son.
(c) Grandmother.
(d) Wife.

5. Rumi notes that free choice can be made by men and women who have not been:
(a) Told they are morons.
(b) Beaten in to frightened compliance.
(c) Lost at sea.
(d) Sold into slavery.

Short Answer Questions

1. 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?

2. Analyzing Rumi's poetry can be challenging because it is clear at points and:

3. In a poem in Book 2, Chapter 1, what happens to the poor man when he vomits?

4. The "Solomon Poems" are devoted to the spiritual life, referring to:

5. In the story of three fish that possess some measure of intelligence, found in Book 2, Chapter 1, who do the fish face?

Short Essay Questions

1. Does Rumi disagree with holy scriptures?

2. Why is jealousy a recurrent theme in Rumi's work?

3. Explain what the Mathnawi is.

4. How does the story of the king and the girl he loves end?

5. In the story where the king is in love with a girl, what ailment has afflicted her?

6. Explain how Rumi uses the idea of Jesus riding a donkey as a metaphor.

7. What happens to the three brothers who fall in love with a powerful princess?

8. What is the solution to King Solomon's crown constantly sliding down his forehead?

9. Instead of doing battle on the military field, what should a good ruler strive for, according to Rumi?

10. What are some of the lessons inherent in the story of the Friend assisting the prisoner through the prayer rug?

(see the answer keys)

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