Sample Question Types for the Mini-Exams

These sample questions are to give you an idea of the type of question you can expect on the mini-exams.  You should probably expect not to see these specific questions on the exams, but you should be able to respond to questions in the following formats.  (the questions are given inside the quotation marks [""].)

1.  Map questions

example #1: 

"On the following map, place a mark [an x, a star, a smiley face] on the locations of baghdad and damascus:

"

example #2:

"Give the names of the caliphate capitals marked by stars on this map (east-to-west):

"

2. Passage identification questions

example #1:
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.  Through him all things came be, not one thing had its being but through him.

What document does this passage come from?
About when was this document written (rough estimate, within 50-100 years, is fine)?"

example #2:
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.  Through him all things came be, not one thing had its being but through him.

Which of the following are true (check all that apply):
___  a) This is the opening of the Gospel of John
___  b) This was written by the apostle Paul around 100 c.e.
___  c) The word "Word" could also be translated as reason or logic, and it is a philosophical term.
___  d) Protestant Christians reject the document in which this is found, but Catholic Christians accept it.
___  e) This document gives a more mystical explanation of the messiah as Son of God."

3.  Term identification questions

example #1:
"Fill in the blanks:  The hijra is the migration of Muhammad from _______ to _______ (names of cities)."

example #2:
"Define the following term in one or two sentences:  hijra"

example #3:
"True or false:  Sunni Muslims start their calendar at the date of the hijra (i.e., it is Islamic Year 0), but Shi'i Muslims start their calendar at the death of Ali."

example #4:
"Which of the following are associated with the term:  hijra (check all that apply):
___ a) The city of Mecca
___ b) The appearance of the angel Jibril to Muhammad
___ c) The beginning of the Islamic calendar
___ d) The city of Medina
___ e) The founding of the Abbasid caliphate."

4. Timeline questions

example #1:
"Who came first:  Moses or David?"

example #2:
"Which period of Jewish history is associated with the writing of the mishnah and talmud?
___ a) the Exodus from Egypt
___ b) the First Temple period
___ c) the rabbinic period
___ d) the early modern period"

example #3:
"In the year 70 c.e., the ______ destroyed the Second Jewish Temple."

example #4:
"In 1492, the Catholic nation of ______ expelled the Jews. (For extra credit:  this effort to reunite this nation under Catholicism was called the _____.)"