Name : _______________________________________ Date : _______

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PRE-TEST/POST-TEST: INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS & BELIEF SYSTEMS

School Year 2023-2024

Direction: Read and understand each item carefully. Select the best answer and write the letter only of your choice in
your answer sheet.
1. The Jewish community during the roman period who retreated to the wilderness in response to apocalyptic visions
were the
A. Sadducees B. Pharisees B. Essences D. Zealots

2. The Christianization of the roman empire resulted in each of the following except
A. Several books added to the new testament
B. A new emphasis on the final destiny of the individual rather than of the universe itself
C. The appointment of Christians to high ranking official public positions
D. The governments return of confiscated church property

3. Animistic beliefs include the idea that

A. No clear boundaries exist between the natural and the supernatural
B. Nature is superior to the supernatural
C Animals once existed as human beings
D. There is one creator who intervenes in both the natural and supernatural

4. Traditional indigenous religions in Africa tend to view the supernatural as a

A. Omnipotent god supplemented and served by lesser spirits including ancestors and animal spirits, including
ancestors and animal spirits
B. Impersonal and unrelated set of natural forces
C. Omnipotent God whom people worship and ask for help
D. Patheon of Gods who share separate but roughly equal powers

5. What is the term for letters written in the new testament for the purpose of instruction, encouragement, and
practical advice?
A. Gospels B. Acts C. Parables D. Epistles

6. The purpose of the puritan jeremiad was to

A. Instil values of hard work honesty and good citizenship
B. Set a tone of guilt and the need for repentance
C. Separate the elect from the masses for the future final judgement
D. Celebrate the living mystery of God

7. Taoism today currently has about 20 million followers and is centered in

A. Tibet B. Korea C. Taiwan D. Chinas Hunan Province

8. The Vedas are believed to have come to ancient members of the priestly class directly from
A. Brahman B. Indra C. Agni D. Vishnu

9. In addition to the Qu’aran muslims often look to the Hadiths for rules of daily life. The Hadiths are best described as
A. Rulings of Muhammad’s successors
B. Recollections people have had of Muhammad’s words and deeds
C. The sayings of Muhammad’s wife, Khadijah
D. Natural laws

10.Christian Fundamentalism is a
A. Protestant movement that emphasizes the work of the holy spirit
B. Protestant movement that grew up in response to issues of liberalism and modernity
C. Catholic movement that focuses on methodical study of the bible
D. Catholic counter revolution that reasserts the infallibility of the papacy

11.Which of the following was a nineteenth century movement that promoted the idea of emotion or intuition as
opposed to reason as the source of human understanding?
A. Revivalism B. Enlightenment C. Mysticism D. Romanticism
12.In many primal religions a common symbol signifying the center of the universe
A. Egg B. Mandala C. Tree of Life D. Heart

13.Which of the three orientations of religion seeks union with a reality that is greater than oneself?
A. Apocalyptic B. Prophetic C. Mystical D. Communal

14.The savior figure in the Hindu religion is

A. Vishnu B. Brahma C. Shiva D. Krishna

15.Which of the following beliefs is shared by Sikhs and Hindus?

A. The castle system C. Reincarnation
B. Polytheism D. Living gurus whose ancestry dates back to founders

16.The cornerstone of Confucian ethics is _____ a supreme virtue representing human qualities at their best.
A. Xin B. Hsiao C. Jen D. Li

17.Among followers of the Bahai faith the nine doors and central dome of a house of worship symbolize the
A. Multiple pathways to God C. Sacraments
B. Diversity and unity of human kind D. Ten great manifestation of God

18.The authorized Talmud that is considered to be the dominant version in Jewish theology and law is the
A. Babylonian B. Roman C. Jerusalem D. Assyrian

19.Which of the following is not one of Hinduism Darshana scriptures?

A. Brahma Sutra B. Yoga Sutra C. Kama Sutra D. Nyaya Sutra

20.For each of the new testament gospel writers the central concern of the text is?
A. Jesus fulfilment of Hebrew prophecies C. The suffering and death of Jesus
B. Palestine’s suffering under the rule of Rome D. The parables and other teachings of Jesus

21.The second century belief of some Christians that the three persons of the trinity are merely different modes or
aspects of god rather than three distinct persons is known as
A. Gnosticism B. Sabellianism C. Niceaism D. Anomoeanism

22.Which of the following words is an acronym for the three major divisions of the hebrew bible?
A. Pentateuch B. Kethuvim C. Tanakh D. Torah

23.Historically the most significant outside influence on Hinduism came from

A. China B. Britain C. Germany D. Mongolia

24.Which of the following is a branch of Japanese Zen Buddhism that has the enlightenment as a gradual process?
A. Jodo Shinsu B. Soto C. Nishi Hongwanji D. Rinzai

25.Which of the following is alternative religions emphasizes and celebrates the feminine aspect of the Devine?
A. Wicca B. Rastrafarianism C. Baha'i D. Druidism

26.The starting point for the buddhist analysis of the human condition is
A. Sunyata B. Dukkha C. Bhodicitta D. Jhana

27.A main difference between Buddhism and many of the other major religions is its belief in
A. Salvation through ones own efforts C. Renunciation of the material world
B. Life after death D. One Supreme God

28.The Vedic religion I. emphasized the eternal cycle of life death and rebirth II. called for order in nature and society
III. worshipped multiple gods and goddesses IV. emphasized sacrifice
A. I only B. I and III C. II, III and IV D. I, II, III and IV

29.The oldest form of Tibetan Buddhism is a school known as

A. Gelug-pa B. Nyingma-pa C. Sakya-pa D. Kagyu-pa

30.Shiite beliefs concerning the Imam Mahdi are analogous to the Christian belief in the
A. Second coming of Jesus Christ C. Divinity of Jesus Christ
B. Blessed trinity of the Godhead D. Virgin birth