1
During the Aki-Matsuri, or Autumn Festival, Shinto priests present food offerings such as sake, rice cakes, and vegetables before the shrine. What facet of religion is this an example of?
ritual
symbol
prayer
myth
The determination of Buddhists to abstain from conflict and the establishment of hospitals for the needy by Christians are both examples of what aspect of religion?
code of ethics
rituals
sacred texts
Myth
Using the word myth to describe stories taught by a religion acknowledges that the stories are untrue or made up.
True
False
The Han Dynasty of ancient China ruled by what they called the ‘Mandate of Heaven.’ This did not mean that a god in heaven gave them power. They meant that the universe itself was god and willed that the Hans rule China. Under what religious classification would this belief fall?
Atheism
Pantheism
Polytheism
Monoaltrism
Even though the ancient Greeks believed in and worshipped many gods, eventually Zeus came to be the most powerful of all the gods. The Greeks began to worship him as the supreme god but did not stop believing in their other, less powerful gods. What form of religion would this worship of Zeus above all other gods fall into?
henotheism
agnosticism
panentheism
monotheism
A small village revolves around its church. When something happens, whether it is good or bad, the villagers flock to the church. There they console and support one another. For these reasons, the church is an important part of the villagers’ lives. What definition of religion would this example fall under?
Intellectual
Functional
Affective
Faith perspective
Holding a string of beads, a Catholic nun says the Rosary. She repeats Apostle’s Creed, Our Father, Hail Mary three times, and Glory Be. What facet of religion is this an example of?
ritual
symbol
prayer
myth
Harper describes her religion to her class. She tells them how exhilarating it feels when the bells ring during services. She is drawn closer to god when she hears the voices of the choir. Harper leaves her religious services feeling like she is part of something bigger than herself. In what way would you say that Harper just defined her religion?
intellectual
affective
functional
materialistic
How do religious services benefit communities?
They allow the rulers to keep control over the community.
They provide an economic boost to the community.
They give people a purpose in life.
They provide a reason for members of the community to bond.
Philosopher Bertrand Russell wrote, “I do not think that there is a conclusive argument by which one can prove that there is not a God. Equally, I cannot prove that there exists a Homeric God.” Into what religious class would Russell belong?
atheism
agnosticism
theism
polytheism
The Cree tribe of Native America take part in what is known as the Sun Dance. This dance is an attempt to ask for healing. What aspect of religion is this an example of?
prayer
symbol
myth
sacrifice
Studying other religions is more important in modern times because globalization puts different people belonging to different religions in touch with one another regularly.
True
False
When asked about her religion, Charlotte explains that she believes in a divine god who blesses those performing sacrifices to him. Charlotte says that this divine god created the earth and mankind. She says that god will take those who die faithful to live with him in heaven. In what way would you say that Charlotte just defined her religion?
faith perspective
affective
materialistic
Functional
What benefit can be gained if someone believes that the earth was created for a purpose?
It encourages advances in the field of science.
It can give their life a sense of direction.
It allows a person to understand the needs of others.
It can cause a person to become more religious.
2
Forever the student, Ansh spends his days pouring over the Vedas, Upanishads, Epics, and Sutras. The more he studies, the more he reasons within himself about what kind of person he needs to be. What Hindu pathway is Ansh MOST likely focused on?
Bhakti yoga
Jnâna yoga
Karma yoga
Raja yoga
On the wall at a friend’s house, you see a painting of a blue looking prince with a flute in his hand. You ask your friend to identify the person and are told that it is a representation of Krishna. Your friend then explains that Krishna is actually an avatar of Vishnu, who is also blue. If your friend were a follower of one of the four main denominations of Hinduism, which one would they MOST likely be a part of?
Vaishnavism
Shaktism
Smartism
Shaivism
An engineer, Dinesh works hard to keep things going for his family. He has two children and one more on the way. Dinesh must also check in on his parents on the weekends as they are getting aged and cannot do the things they used to do for themselves. What Hindu phase of life is Dinesh MOST likely in?
Brahmacharya
Grihastha
Vanaprastha
Sannyasa
In 1843, Zayn was a professor who announced to his parents that he had fallen in love with the daughter of the shopkeeper in town. His parents were outraged and forbade Zayn to ask for her hand in marriage. What is MOST likely the reason for the parents’ rejection?
Zayn was not ready to enter into the Grihastha stage of life.
Zayn was part of the Shudra caste and not allowed to marry outside it.
Zayn was a follower of Shaivism and could not convert to another denomination.
The girl was part of the Vaishya caste, considered lower than Zayn’s family.
Neil is working hard attending a university. He spends his time studying to become a surgeon to help the people in his town. What Hindu phase of life is Neil MOST likely in?
Brahmacharya
Grihastha
Vanaprastha
Sannyasa
Deepak lived in a small village in the mountains during the late 19th century. When a person died, a message was sent to Deepak to come and collect the body. He would be the one to carry the body to the area where it would be buried. This is not a job anyone else wanted but because Deepak is considered an ‘untouchable,’ it was acceptable work for him. What Hindu caste was Deepak MOST likely a member of?
Brahman
Kshatriya
Shudra
Chandalas
Aadesh is excited because preparations are under way for his celebration. He knows that it is an honor to be given the sacred thread at just eight years of age. What is Aadesh’s celebration for?
Annaprashan
Upanayana
his wedding
his graduation from elementary school
Most Hindus hold the belief that when they die, they are reincarnated back to life to live again. Their status in the next life is determined by their deeds in this one. Their hope, eventually, is to free themselves from this cycle by achieving a transcendent state. What term is used to describe this goal?
Kama
Artha
Dharma
Moshka
When did the term Hindu become established to refer to this religion?
4,000 years ago in the Indus River Valley
when the sacred texts, the Vedas, were written
in the 15th century CE
in the early 20th century, when India became independent from Britain
What do followers of Vaishnavism and Smartism have in common?
They are both monotheistic.
They both worship the god Shiva as their central god.
They both give worship to the god Vishnu.
Neither of them worship the goddess Shakti.
Although not a Hindu himself, Ian can recognize some of the foremost Hindu gods depicted in literature. He is examining some ancient art and comes across a depiction of an elephant adorned with gold. What Hindu god is Ian MOST likely looking at?
Shiva
Ganesha
Vishnu
Brahma
How are the followers of Shaivism different from the other Hindu denominations?
They do not believe in modern medical treatment.
They worship only one primary god.
They worship many gods instead of just one.
They do not believe in a specific god.
Which statement is true of Shaktist Hindus?
They all follow the pathway of bhakti yoga, or the pathway of love.
They worship the god Shiva as their principal male deity.
They believe exclusively in the Vedas, not the Upsanishads.
They do not approve of the celebration of Upanayana.
Most Hindus are tolerant of others’ beliefs because they feel there is more than one way to live life.
True
False
What aspect of modern Hinduism is MOST similar to the religion of the Indus Valley Civilization?
Modern Hindus celebrate Annaprashan when a child takes their first bite of food.
One goal Hindus strive toward is Artha, the goal of wealth, fame, and power.
Shaktism worships the goddess Shakti above all others.
Those who follow Raja yoga use physical poses to aid in meditation.
