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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does the inquisitor think people will rise?

2. What is a prediction given by the grand inquisitor about the future of the church?

3. What is similar about Catholics and Masons, according to Ivan?

4. What does the grand inquisitor say Jesus did to spirituality?

5. Why does the inquisitor say people must submit to authority?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the grand inquisitor think men fear freedom?

2. What is it about the grand inquisitor Alyosha can't believe?

3. What do the people believe the clergy is doing for them?

4. How will the church finish the Tower of Babel that man has built?

5. Why does the grand inquisitor think bribing man with bread is useless?

6. Why does the grand inquisitor say Jesus refused in the second temptation?

7. Why does the grand inquisitor accuse Jesus of only caring for the strong?

8. How is the church giving people their freedom?

9. Why does the clergy deceive the people?

10. Why does Jesus kiss the grand inquisitor?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write about Alyosha's purpose in the narrative. What role does the author choose for him to play? What effect does his existence have on the narrative? Give at least one example to explain your thinking.

Essay Topic 2

According to the grand inquisitor, what effect would Jesus turning stones into bread have on the world? What reactions would this cause people to have toward him? What does the grand inquisitor believe Jesus should have done differently? How does the grand inquisitor explain the church's reaction to Jesus refusal of this temptation?

Essay Topic 3

Is the grand inquisitor's motivation to help the prisoner? Does he care about the prisoner or have any sympathy for him? What is his motivation in arresting the prisoner? Why does he come to the prisoner's cell and why does he come secretly at night?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 947 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample