HUMN 160: Global Religion & Culture

Quiz 1.1: World Religions and Demographics

Question 1

True/False: The world population today is well over 7 billion.

• True
• False

Question 2

True/False: Three major world religions represent about one-third of the population.

• True
• False (Note: Christianity alone represents nearly one-third of the global population; together with Islam and Hinduism, they represent over half.)

Question 3

The number of nations in the world today is about

• 100
• 200
• 300
• 400

Question 4

True/False: The U.S. Government does not identify an official ‘American’ religion.

• True
• False

Question 5

True/False: Statistically, a majority of Americans identify themselves as “Christian.”

• True
• False

Question 6

True/False: There is a lower proportion of professing Christians in America than in India or China.

• True
• False

Question 7

It can be said of Islam that

• up to one in four people in the world today identify it as their faith
• most of its adherents live in Saudi Arabia and Yemen, combined
• it now represents nearly 20% of North Americans
• most Muslim immigrants leave this faith within two generations.

Question 8

True/False: Together, Islam, Buddhism, Christianity and Hinduism identify the majority of the world’s population.

• True
• False

Question 9

True/False: Approximately one billion people living in the world today report that they are religiously unaffiliated.

• True
• False

Question 10

Countries that belong to the “developing world”

• are located in places like North Africa, the Middle East and South Asia
• are usually Hindu
• are often economically disadvantaged, and have been for many years
• all of the above

Quiz 2.1: Hinduism Foundations

Question 1

True or False: Hinduism is claimed by more than a billion followers worldwide.

• True
• False

Question 2

True or False: Sanatama Dharma is Hindi for ‘ascetic self-deprivation’.

• True
• False

Question 3

True or False: Hinduism has been described as a way of living that lends itself then to a way of seeing.

• True
• False

Question 4

True or False: Karma is the idea that one can avoid the consequence of bad choices.

• True
• False

Question 5

True or False: The concept of moksha involves desire to be released from this life cycle.

• True
• False

Question 6

True or False: Hinduism is a very diverse set of ideas about god-related things.

• True
• False

Question 7

The majority of Hindus in the world today live in:

• China
• South America
• United States
• None of the above.

Question 8

The origins of the practice of yoga involve:

• Separation of oneself from the pain of life
• Ridding the body of unwanted karma
• Annual religious celebrations
• We do not know how it arose.

Question 9

Different practitioners of Hinduism:

• May attend different festivals and celebrations
• May hold different ideas about god(s)
• May differ in the way they dress and identify publicly
• All of the above

Question 10

When one describes Hinduism as “eclectic,” it can mean (choose all that apply):

• Extremely different and even conflicting ideas are held together
• There may be different origins and developments that come together
• It tends to be exclusive, i.e. not welcoming outsiders to join in

Quiz 2.2: Hindu Literature and Beliefs

Question 1

True or False: Dharma involves truth that identifies one’s supreme obligations in life.

• True
• False

Question 2

True or False: Hinduism tends to suppress sensuality in favor of self-inflicted pain.

• True
• False

Question 3

True or False: Bakhti means devotion to a god or goddess.

• True
• False

Question 4

True or False: Belief in re-incarnation is widely shared amongst Hindus.

• True
• False

Question 5

True or False: In a Hindu worldview, death is a prelude to rebirth.

• True
• False

Question 6

True or False: Brahma is the destroyer God; Shiva means illumination.

• True
• False

Question 7

Transmigration is another word for

• Moksha
• Gita
• Re-incarnation
• Karma

Question 8

The Bhagavad Gita is an epic poem about

• a battle involving gods and heroes
• being responsible to one’s duties in this life
• historical Indian culture
• all of the above

Question 9

Historically, Hinduism was also known as

• Brahminism
• Vishnuism
• Shiviism
• None of these.

Question 10

Which of the following was among ancient Hindu literature?

• The Vedas
• Upanishads
• Bhagavad Gita
• All the above.

Quiz 2.3: Hinduism in the Modern World

Question 1

True or False: About 15% of the US population today is Hindu.

• True
• False

Question 2

True or False: Hindus today are often quite open to having foreigners bring in their ideas of deity to this historical religion.

• True
• False

Question 3

True or False: Many of the Hindus living in America today hold advanced degrees and are civic and professional leaders.

• True
• False

Question 4

True or False: The account of “Akhil” indicates that Indians dislike American education.

• True
• False

Question 5

True or False: Most Hindus avoid eating cows.

• True
• False

Question 6

Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi was known for

• advancing traditional values among Indians in the mid-20th century
• his desire for improvements in social and economic equality
• his social activism in resistance to the British (pre-1947)
• Two of the above

Question 7

The traditional Indian caste system involved

• Social stratification
• Government-enforced slavery of mid-level castes.
• A requirement that one pay a higher tax rate for being poor.
• The advancement of Dalits to royal status

Question 8

Many Indians have been prompted to emigrate to North America or Europe

• In order to separate themselves from traditional class structures
• In order to advance Hinduism as a new national western religion
• Because they were forced to do so by the late Nehru government
• None of the above reasons

Question 9

An ashram is a Hindu

• divine spirit
• edict of marriage
• community center
• temple

Question 10

In the opinion of “Akhil,” many Indian women see North America as

• helping them to get social equality and success
• a chance to leave their faith (apostasy)
• a place to acquire an American husband
• a temporary residence, for acquiring resources and then returning home

Quiz 3.1: Foundations of Buddhism and Chinese Religions

Question 1

True/False: Buddhism originated in China.

• True
• False

Question 2

True/False: Siddhartha Gautama was born into poverty during the 7th century BCE.

• True
• False

Question 3

True/False: Siddhartha at times in his life would practice asceticism.

• True
• False

Question 4

True/False: Siddhartha believed meditation could pave the way to Nirvana.

• True
• False

Question 5

True/False: Many Asians identify with more than one religion.

• True
• False

Question 6

The positive and negative world forces thought to stand in polarity are:

• Cosmos and Cosmic
• Yin and Yang
• Odd and Even
• Atman and Utman

Question 7

Which of the following persons were an early formulator of Confucianism? (select all that apply)

• Mencius
• Confucius
• Lao-tzu
• Hsun-Tzu

Question 8

A theme that does not run through Chinese religion is:

• Respect for one’s ancestors
• Respect for one’s parents
• Respect for the tombs of one’s ancestors
• None the above

Question 9

Which of the following might be involved in divination?

• Seances which recall interactions with dead relatives
• ‘Reading’ natural patterns that appear on bones or plants
• Burning of incense so that smells can evoke awareness of the afterlife
• Prayers on behalf of priests, to help them intercede for their people

Question 10

Which of the following is not true of Confucius?

• He was born into privilege
• He was born into poverty
• He was tutored while growing up
• None of the above

Quiz 3.2: Buddhist and Chinese Philosophical Tenets

Question 1

True/False: Dharma brings together a concept of truth with practical ways to live.

• True
• False

Question 2

True/False: Buddhism holds to enlightenment that allows one to bypass endless reincarnation.

• True
• False

Question 3

True/False: Karma is beyond one’s ability to influence.

• True
• False

Question 4

True/False: The first of the Four Noble Truths is human suffering is universal and manifests itself in physical, mental, and emotional struggles and pain.

• True
• False

Question 5

True/False: The Noble Eightfold Path includes right kinds of speech and actions.

• True
• False

Question 6

Theravada Buddhism cannot be described as: (select all that apply)

• A traditional, stricter tradition
• A more inclusive and accommodating tradition
• The Vietnamese form of the religion
• A blend involving some Confucianism

Question 7

The sayings of Confucius are represented in:

• The Vedas
• The Analects
• The Tao Te Ching
• All of the above

Question 8

Confucius did not believe that human beings are: (select all that apply)

• inherently evil
• capable of depravity
• essentially good
• All of the above

Question 9

Which of the following does not pertain to Taoism?

• May have been founded by Confucius
• Same beliefs as Confucianism
• Emphasis upon readings and actions
• All of the above

Question 10

The writings known as The Analects:

• Are attributed to Confucius
• Promote virtue
• encourage union of oneself with God
• all the above

Quiz 3.3: Indigenous Religions and Shinto

Question 1

True/False: The word animism means that souls are like animals.

• True
• False

Question 2

True/False: The Aboriginal dreamtime cannot be assigned a date period or era. HUMN 160: Global Religion & Culture

• True
• False

Question 3

True/False: The Aboriginal dreamtime can be located during the first millennium BCE.

• True
• False

Question 4

True/False: Totemist clans might identify themselves with an animal (for example).

• True
• False

Question 5

True/False: Anthropologists like Tylor and McLennan seriously studies tribal myths.

• True
• False

Question 6

True/False: Animism is more prevalent in the southern, than northern, hemisphere.

• True
• False

Question 7

Which of the following correctly applies to a shaman? (select all that apply)

• Mediator between humans and nature
• Priest-like role
• Non-human in origin
• All of the above

Question 8

Which of the following does not apply to a shaman?

• Mediator between humans and nature
• Priest-like role
• Non-human in origin
• all these do describe a shaman

Question 9

A “natural religion”: (select all that apply)

• would include animism
• would not advocate divine revelation from one God
• usually advocates use of incense in worship services
• None of the above

Question 10

Which of the following do not apply to Shinto religion? (select all that apply)

• Brought to Japan by Chinese missionaries
• Animist in nature
• Has a hierarchy of gods & demi-gods
• None of the above

Quiz 4.1: Shinto and Japanese Religious Life

Question 1

True/False: Japanese people today follow only Buddhism or Taoism or atheism.

• True
• False

Question 2

True/False: Kami are gods or spirits.

• True
• False

Question 3

True/False: Shinto shrines tend to be private, or at least distant from public places.

• True
• False

Question 4

True/False: Shinto religion has variously taken state, domestic and sectarian forms.

• True
• False

Question 5

By which of the following means could the spirit world be placated in animism?

• Sacrifice
• Veneration
• Both of the above
• None of the above

Question 6

Which of the following is to be located inside of a Shinto building?

• Torii
• Kami
• Sushi
• All the above

Question 7

Where are Shinto shrines traditionally located?

• In large religious buildings
• Along public streets
• In private homes
• All the above

Question 8

True/False: Among the responses of Japanese people to incoming Chinese religion was a desire to keep their followers and beliefs separated.

• True
• False

Question 9

True/False: Among the responses of Japanese people to incoming Chinese religion was a cooperative mix of Buddhism and Taoism.

• True
• False

Question 10

True/False: Chinese Buddhists supported the imperialism of Japanese religions.

• True
• False

Quiz 4.2: Indigenous Religions and Shinto

Question 1

True/False: The word animism means that souls are like animals.

• True
• False

Question 2

True/False: The Aboriginal dreamtime cannot be assigned a date period or era. HUMN 160: Global Religion & Culture

• True
• False

Question 3

True/False: The Aboriginal dreamtime can be located during the first millennium BCE.

• True
• False

Question 4

True/False: Totemist clans might identify themselves with an animal (for example).

• True
• False

Question 5

True/False: Anthropologists like Tylor and McLennan seriously studies tribal myths.

• True
• False

Question 6

True/False: Animism is more prevalent in the southern, than northern, hemisphere.

• True
• False

Question 7

Which of the following correctly applies to a shaman? (select all that apply)

• Mediator between humans and nature
• Priest-like role
• Non-human in origin
• All of the above

Question 8

Which of the following does not apply to a shaman?

• Mediator between humans and nature
• Priest-like role
• Non-human in origin
• all these do describe a shaman

Question 9

A “natural religion”: (select all that apply)

• would include animism
• would not advocate divine revelation from one God
• usually advocates use of incense in worship services
• None of the above

Question 10

Which of the following do not apply to Shinto religion? (select all that apply)

• Brought to Japan by Chinese missionaries
• Animist in nature
• Has a hierarchy of gods & demi-gods
• None of the above

Quiz 5.1: History and Development of Judaism

Question 1

True or False: There are at least 24 million Jews in the world today.

• True
• False

Question 2

True or False: Judaism is the world’s tenth largest religion (based on number of adherents).

• True
• False

Question 3

True or False: During the Middle Ages, Jews were often persecuted.

• True
• False

Question 4

True or False: Hillel was a key figure in the formation of the laws of the State of Israel.

• True
• False

Question 5

True or False: The history of the ancient Israelite monarchy involved two monarchies.

• True
• False

Question 6

Which of the following was not described as a ‘patriarch’ in the Jewish Scriptures?

• Adam
• Abraham
• Jacob
• Isaac

Question 7

Zionism involves which of the following?

• belief in the historical inaccuracy of the Jewish Scriptures.
• support for the modern State of Israel.
• a requirement of rabbinic leadership in government.
• the threefold constitution of the TANAK and the Halakah.

Question 8

A language common to Ashkenazim (European Jews) is _______.

• Standard German
• Yiddish
• Spanish
• None of the above.

Question 9

Which of these was an early Jewish thinker who preserved key Jewish writings?

• Gamaliel
• Judah the Prince
• Ben Gurion
• Emile Zola

Question 10

The Jewish Passover is a holiday for remembering:

• Rescue from slavery in Egypt
• Freedom from the Philistines
• Defeat of the Romans
• Moses’s receiving of the Torah

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Quiz 5.2: Central Literature and Key Tenets of Judaism

Question 1

True or False: The three parts of the Jewish Scriptures are Law, Prophets & Writings.

• True
• False

Question 2

True or False: The Mishnah is an oral record of what had long been written commentary.

• True
• False

Question 3

True or False: The first person ever to be called “rabbi” was the patriarch Joseph.

• True
• False

Question 4

True or False: The Talmud is actually a rabbinic tradition that hails from 27 countries.

• True
• False

Question 5

True or False: The Jewish Scriptures include historical narratives and poetic wisdom.

• True
• False

Question 6

Which of the following did Maimonides advocate with respect to God? HUMN 160: Global Religion & Culture

• Monotheism
• Omniscience
• Holiness
• All the above

Question 7

Who was the founder of modern Zionism?

• Maimonides
• Herzl
• Golda Meir
• Moshe Dayan

Question 8

Which term has been applied to historic Judaism?

• Civilization
• Monotheistic
• Diverse culturally
• All the above

Question 9

David Ben Gurion was modern Israel’s

• first president
• founding father
• Zionist activist
• All of the above

Question 10

All Jews in Israel today agree that modern leadership is represented in

• the Israeli Knesset (parliament)
• the Jerusalem Chief Rabbinate
• the president of the United States
• no universal agreement exists

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Quiz 5.3: Judaism in ‘Diaspora’ and the State of Israel Today

Question 1

True or False: Judaism’s ethno-religious nature tends to produce conformity & consistency.

• True
• False

Question 2

True or False: A man wearing tzitzit and earlocks belongs to Reform Judaism.

• True
• False

Question 3

True or False: Kosher food laws prohibit the eating of sheep.

• True
• False

Question 4

True or False: A young man is welcomed into synagogue membership with a Bar-Mitzvah.

• True
• False

Question 5

True or False: All Jews today identify themselves as theists.

• True
• False

Question 6

True or False: Worldwide, Jews have historically high rates of educational achievement.

• True
• False

Question 7

True or False: Historically and today, Jews share a strong tradition of heterosexual marriage.

• True
• False

Question 8

How many of the world’s Jews alive today reside in Israel?

• One in ten
• About one-half
• Nearly all
• None of the above

Question 9

Israeli Jews and American Jews _________.

• share many common interests, though not always the same priorities
• share no common interests, but have a strong Republican leaning
• rarely visit each other’s country
• two of the above

Question 10

The Jewish celebration of Hanukkah (Feast of Lights) is connected with which of the following?

• the day Moses received the Law at Mount Sinai.
• the Maccabean war of independence against Syrian tyranny, 2ndC CE.
• the completion of the Mishnah (c.200 CE)
• none of the above.