This assessment paper covers key biblical accounts and doctrines from both the Old and New Testaments, focusing particularly on narratives surrounding early patriarchs, the leadership of Moses and Joshua, the united and divided monarchies, and the life, ministry, and teachings of Jesus Christ. Prominent recurring themes throughout the questions include obedience and divine guidance, the consequences of disobedience and sin, and the foundational requirements of Christian discipleship and forgiveness. As you prepare with this material, take time to carefully review the contextual details behind each question rather than simply memorizing the correct options, as understanding the underlying stories will deepen your comprehension.
Topics in this paper
The caravan of Ishmaelites that bought Joseph traded in:
A student might mistakenly choose option D because 'oil' and 'gum' appear in other spice mixtures, or B because it includes both 'oil' and 'balm'. We arrive at the correct option by noting that Genesis 37:25 explicitly documents the caravan transporting spicery, balm, and myrrh toward Egypt, where spicery is identified as gum or resin. Common mistake: Confusing the specific components of the trade caravan with other biblical ointments.
Before Joseph came to Pharaoh after his release from prison, Joseph:
A student might mistakenly select option C by assuming eating happened alongside grooming, or option B assuming a spiritual ritual preceded the meeting. We determine the right choice by referencing Genesis 41:14, which explicitly states that Joseph shaved and changed his raiment to show respect and prepare for the king's presence. Common mistake: Forgetting that changing clothes was a mandatory part of royal protocol.
How long was the famine before Joseph reconciled with his brothers?
A student might incorrectly pick 1 year or 5 years by miscalculating the timeline of the seven-year famine. We deduce the correct answer by looking at Genesis 45:6, which notes that the famine had lasted for two years when Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers. Common mistake: Confusing the total duration of the predicted famine with the specific time elapsed at the moment of reconciliation.
Which of the following was not an excuse Moses gave when he was called to deliver the Israelites?
A student could mistakenly choose option A or B, remembering them as actual worries expressed during Moses' commission. We reason to the correct answer by recalling that while Exodus 3 and 4 list his self-doubt, fear of rejection, and slow speech, his past act of murder in Exodus 2:12 was never brought up as an excuse during his calling. Common mistake: Mixing up Moses' historical background with the verbal excuses he gave to God.
Regardless of the Egyptians' suffering, Pharaoh refused to let the Israelites go because:
A student might mistakenly pick option A, assuming economic reliance on forced labor kept the Egyptians holding onto the Israelites. We find the correct answer by noting Exodus 9:16, which clarifies that God hardened Pharaoh's heart to showcase His power, allowing Pharaoh to persistently challenge divine authority despite the plagues. Common mistake: Attributing Pharaoh's stubbornness purely to economic motives rather than spiritual hardening.
As soon as the Egyptians caught up with the Israelites at the Red Sea, the pillar of clouds:
A student might mistakenly choose option D, thinking the cloud continued leading ahead, or option B regarding lateral movement. We arrive at the right choice by tracking Exodus 14:19-20, where the pillar of cloud shifts backward to position itself right between the Israelite camp and the pursuing Egyptians for protection and confusion. Common mistake: Confusing the initial leading position of the cloud with its defensive repositioning at the Red Sea.
One of the spies Moses sent to the land of Canaan from the tribe of Reuben was:
A student might mistakenly select Shaphat or Igal by confusing the tribal assignments listed in Numbers 13. We deduce the correct answer by noting that Numbers 13:4 specifically identifies Shammua as the representative spy originating from the tribe of Reuben. Common mistake: Mixing up the names of the twelve tribal spies.
Why do you do such? For I hear of your evil dealings from all the people. No my sons; it is no good report that I hear ... The sons being addressed were children of:
A student might mistakenly pick Samuel or Joshua, associating them with priestly or leadership rebukes. We arrive at the correct option by looking at 1 Samuel 2:23-24, where Eli directly admonishes Hophni and Phinehas regarding their corrupt priestly behavior. Common mistake: Confusing Eli with other early biblical leaders who corrected subordinates.
Barak who was asked by Deborah to organize troops to fight the Canaanites was the son of:
A student could mistakenly choose Joab or Abijah, recognizing them as prominent biblical figures from various military or priestly contexts. We determine the correct answer by citing Judges 4:6, which explicitly names Abinoam as the father of Barak. Common mistake: Confusing paternal names of military leaders in the book of Judges.
You shall invest him with some of your authority, that all the congregation of the people of Israel may obey. This instruction was given in connection with:
A student might mistakenly pick option B or C regarding Aaron or Eleazar, confusing succession roles within the priesthood. We arrive at the right answer by referencing Numbers 27:20, which details God commanding Moses to transfer authority directly to Joshua so the congregation would obey his new leadership. Common mistake: Confusing the commissioning of a political-military successor with priestly successions.
Why do you do such? For I hear of your evil dealings from all the people. No my sons; it is no good report that I hear ... On which occasion was this statement made? When:
A student might mistakenly pick option A, B, or D, associating panic statements with physical threats like water scarcity or military pursuit. We deduce the correct answer by looking at Numbers 14:3, where the Israelites voice deep fear and despair specifically after hearing the discouraging report brought back by the spies. Common mistake: Confusing the panic over the spies' report with the physical distress of the Red Sea crossing.
At the time Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli,:
A student might mistakenly choose option A or D, assuming prophetic activity was widespread during this era. We arrive at the correct choice by citing 1 Samuel 3:1, which explicitly notes that the word of the Lord was rare and open visions were uncommon during Eli's priesthood. Common mistake: Assuming prophets were active in every historical period of ancient Israel.
Through meditation, the book of the law became Joshua's source of:
A student could mistakenly select option A or B, thinking legal meditation yields general civic virtues. We determine the correct answer by referencing Joshua 1:8, which explicitly promises prosperity and success as the direct rewards for meditating on the book of the law. Common mistake: Confusing spiritual prosperity promises with abstract concepts like freedom.
Israel lost 30,000 soldiers in a battle with the Philistines because:
A student might mistakenly pick option A or D, blaming the loss on the physical absence of Eli or just the capture of the Ark. We deduce the correct answer by reviewing 1 Samuel 4, which explains the massive military defeat as a direct divine judgment against Eli's household for the wicked actions of his sons, while the Ark's capture was merely a subsequent event. Common mistake: Attributing the military defeat entirely to the loss of the Ark rather than moral corruption.
The reaction of Saul's armour-bearer after the death of his master amounted to:
A student might mistakenly select option C or A, viewing suicide as a sign of despair or a lack of faith. We arrive at the correct answer by evaluating 1 Samuel 31:5, where the armor-bearer chooses to die alongside Saul rather than live without him, demonstrating absolute devotion. Common mistake: Misinterpreting extreme wartime devotion as cowardice or faithlessness.
When David and Abishai went to the camp of Saul at Ziph, Saul and his men were fast asleep because:
A student might mistakenly choose option A, assuming the troops were simply exhausted from a hard day's march. We determine the correct answer by referencing 1 Samuel 26:12, which clarifies that a deep sleep sent directly from the Lord fell upon Saul and his entire camp. Common mistake: Attributing supernatural protection to natural exhaustion.
The child David had with Uriah's wife fell sick and died within:
A student might mistakenly choose option B or D by guessing a standard mourning period. We arrive at the correct option by reviewing 2 Samuel 12:18, which documents that the child fell ill and passed away precisely on the seventh day. Common mistake: Confusing the seventh-day death with standard eight-day circumcision timelines.
After Solomon had the dream at Gibeon, the Lord promised to lengthen his days on the condition that he would:
A student might mistakenly select option A or C, focusing on ritual sacrifices rather than moral obedience. We deduce the correct answer by looking at 1 Kings 3:14, which conditions the lengthening of Solomon's days entirely on his walking in God's ways and keeping His commandments. Common mistake: Confusing conditional moral obedience with routine ceremonial offerings.
The King of Tyre who supported King Solomon with timber for the building of the temple was:
A student might mistakenly choose Cyrus or Darius, recognizing them from later historical accounts involving temple rebuilding. We arrive at the correct answer by citing 1 Kings 5:1-12, which details Hiram supplying the necessary timber to Solomon. Common mistake: Confusing the king of Tyre with Persian monarchs from later eras.
God decided not to divide the kingdom of Israel during the reign of Solomon because:
A student might mistakenly select option B or A, attributing the delayed division to Solomon's legendary wisdom or his architectural achievements. We determine the correct answer by noting 1 Kings 11:12-13, which explains that the kingdom was kept intact during his lifetime purely for the sake of David. Common mistake: Crediting Solomon's personal merits for the delay rather than God's covenant with David.
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