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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. From Balthesar's tutors, Biff and Joshua will learn all they can from the __________ masters.

2. When Biff goes into the town to find a job, but finds that a jealous __________ controls who can beg.

3. A sign in the form of an image of ____________'s mother on a temple wall appears.

4. __________ asks Maggie to become one of Joshua's followers, but she can not as she is married.

5. What does Joshua get hit with repeatedly during his first lesson with Gaspar?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do the beggars see after they have been cured of their blindness by Joshua for their kindness?

2. What does Maggie do in order to hopefully become divorced by Jakan?

3. What happens when the man at the inn in Antioch gives Joshua a piece of cloth to wipe his face?

4. What is the new television addiction that Raziel has begun after his initial interest in soap operas?

5. What happens when Joshua is able to let go of all his concepts of self during his lessons?

6. What happens when Joshua gives sight back to the guard he blinded while in a fit of rage?

7. What is Biff's mother's reaction to his return home after so many years away with Joshua?

8. What does Biff give to Maggie when they meet outside the Sanhedrin?

9. What puzzles Biff when they approach the fortress of Balthesar that is built into a side of a cliff?

10. Why do Biff and Joshua decide to try to travel around the Great Wall of China?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When Maggie and Biff have sex, it's clear that it was supposed to be Joshua and not Biff, yet Maggie doesn't seem to mind.

Part 1: Why do you think Joshua sent Biff in his place? Did Joshua know what was to happen?

Part 2: Why do you think Maggie went along with Biff in Joshua's place?

Part 3: Why do you think Joshua is not able to have sex with anyone? What does this provide him?

Essay Topic 2

At times, one could say that Moore might be going too far with the things he is including in this story - i.e. the story of circumcising Apollo.

Part 1: Do you think Moore takes the story too far with some of the slang and crass humor? Why or why not?

Part 2: Is there value in pushing the humor of the story a bit too far? Explain your response.

Part 3: At any point were you offended by the story? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

What's most curious to a reader is that Joshua might be the Messiah, but he is not without flaws. He does make mistakes and has to learn lessons.

Part 1: Why do you think Joshua blinds the guard? What were his motives?

Part 2: What is the value in showing that Joshua is not without flaws? Would it have been better to show that he was perfect? Why or why not?

Part 3: Why do you think Moore kept Joshua slightly human-like in terms of his emotional behaviors?

(see the answer keys)

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