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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. What does the rabbi tell Jesus, in Chapter 11?

2. In Chapter 6, Jesus leaves home to do what?

3. What does Mary want Simeon to explain to her when he visits?

4. What does Jesus tell Simeon he dreams of doing?

5. What does the rabbi ask Jesus in Chapter 11?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Jesus's mother feel when she sees Jesus carrying the cross at the beginning of the novel?

2. What does Jesus do to defend Mary Magdalene in Capernaum?

3. In Chapter 11, what does Simeon say to Jesus about the possibility of Jesus being the Messiah?

4. What occurs between Judas, Zebedee, and Philip when they meet in Capernaum during the storm?

5. What transpires between Jesus and Ananias?

6. What does Simeon advise Jesus to do, in Chapter 10, and how does Jesus respond?

7. What does Jesus say to comfort the poor in Capernaum, who look to him for guidance?

8. Why does Judas Iscariot visit Jesus at the beginning of the novel?

9. What does Jesus tells Simeon at the end of Chapter 10?

10. Why is Abbot Joachim dying?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The angel with the green wings is the last one to tempt Jesus and shows him what he could have had if he had not chosen to follow the path God laid out for him. What effect does the angel's interference have on Jesus? How does it change Jesus's attitude toward the events of his life and his crucifixion? Who sent the angel? Why? What is its purpose? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

The Israelites are being oppressed by the Romans, and some people resent Jesus's willingness to help those on both sides of the struggle. Why is he so willing to help his enemies? How do they repay him? How do they react when he helps them, or attempts to? What effect does his willingness to help his enemies have on his reputation? What does it say about his character? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

Paul tells Jesus that obstinacy, longing, and faith create truth. The world needs consolation, factual or not. How does Jesus react to these statements? How true are they? What historical examples serve to prove Paul's point? What is Kazantzakis trying to say about faith, religion, and truth? How does Paul's version of truth relate to the kind that Jesus is trying to spread? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

(see the answer keys)

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