World Religions
Assessment – Hinduism
KNOWLEDGE
/30
THINKING/INQUIRY
/20
APPLICATION/COMMUNICATION /16
Name ___________________
KNOWLEDGE SECTION
Part A: Multiple Choice.
Answer on both the Scantron card and on the test paper.
1._____ Brahman is
a.
the highest of the four castes
b.
the entity without form and quality
c.
creator of the universe
d.
goddess of learning
2._____
The swatiska is the Hindu symbol for:
a.
well-being
b.
joy
c.
evil
d.
sadness
3._____
a.
b.
c.
d.
4._____
Which of the following is an avatar of Vishnu?
Krishna
Rama
Kali
both a and b
Hindu worship includes
a.
daily worship at home
b.
purification with water before participating in a ritual
c.
chanting of sacred phrases
d.
all of the above
5._____ This Hindu god is known as the destroyer and restorer of the universe:
a.
Brahma
c.
Shiva
b.
Vishnu
d.
Rama
6.___
a.
b.
c.
d.
The Hindu god who “drank” from the milk offered to it was:
Saraswati
Parvati
Ganesha
Lakshmi
Part B: True or False.
Answer A= true and B= false on both the test paper and on the Scantron card.
7._____
Hindus believe a person dies only once before moksha is achieved.
8._____
Divorce is not encouraged but is allowed in today’s Hindu world.
9._____
The Aryans were the first people to live in what is now India.
10._____ Hindu weddings are simple ceremonies, lasting about 10 minutes.
11._____ The four Upanishads are the oldest and most authoritative scripture.
12._____ Hindus consider the Ganges River sacred enough to cleanse all sins.
13._____ Varanasi is a Hindu scripture.
Part C: Identification
Listed below are Hindu paths of salvation. Match the appropriate letter to the
numbered examples or descriptions of the paths. Answer on both the Scantron
card and on the test paper. Answers may be used more than once.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Path of Action
Path of Meditation
Path of Wisdom
Path of Devotion
14._____ Calls for the guidance of a guru.
15._____ Salvation is achieved through deep contemplation on Brahman.
16._____ A popular path providing worship in a concrete way.
17._____ Good deeds are unselfish and are done because they are morally right.
18._____ Involves singing praises to the deity.
Part D: Matching
Match each definition below with the word that fits the definition. Write the
letter in the blank before the definition it matches. NOT ALL TERMS WILL BE USED.
a.
samsara
b.
Agni
c.
ahimsa
d.
mantra
e.
Bhagavad-Gita
f.
homa
g.
Mahabharata
h.
Maya
i.
Puja
j.
Ramayan
k.
Shakti
l.
Shruti
m.
Smriti
n.
Swami
o.
yogi
1._____
human-made literature.
2._____
God of fire
3._____
Knowledge that is revealed.
4._____
Spiritually evolved individual who practices meditation.
5._____
Doctrine of non-violence
6._____
Holy men of Hinduism.
7._____
Hinduism's “bible”
8._____
Hindu epic poem that tells the struggle between two forces.
9._____
Ritual that involves the burning of offerings in a fire.
10._____ Refers to the temporary and imperfect nature of the physical world.
11._____ sacred word or phrase that is chanted during worship or mediation.
12._____ Endless cycle of rebirths
THINKING/INQUIRY QUESTIONS
Answer in complete sentences in the space provided.
1. Describe the differences between Sihkism , Hinduism, and Jainism. (4 pts)
2. Describe two patterns in Hinduism. (4 pts)
3. Describe the Hindu caste system. Build a case arguing why it is fair or unfair. (6
pts)
4. Describe in detail three Hindu holidays and explain their significance.(6 pts)
APPLICATION / COMMUNICATION QUESTIONS: (16)
1. Respond to the following in well-organized paragraphs: (8 Marks)
“Some religious scholars argue that Hinduism is not a religion, but merely a
collections of religious beliefs of people who live in India.”
2. Gandhi is said to practice Satyagraha – a religious technique that can be
interpreted as “insistence on truth and non-violent acceptance of the
consequences.” In well-developed paragraphs, comment on Gandhi’s practices
with specific references to scenes in the movie viewed in class. (8 marks)