The Master and Margarita, Chapter 25: How the Procurator Tried to Save Judas of Kiriath quiz

Questions and answers

1. 1

   Question 1. What did Pilate do when the servant setting his table would not look him in the face?

   • He sent the servant to fetch his guest at once
   • He ordered the servant out of the palace for good
   • Correct answer: He smashed a jug of wine on the mosaic floor
   • He had the servant flogged for spilling the wine

   Pilate smashed the jug in anger, leaving the red puddle at his feet; his wrath passed as quickly as it came.

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2. 2

   Question 2. How does the narrator first identify the hooded visitor who climbs the stairs?

   • As a centurion leading the ala back to the city
   • Correct answer: As the man who sat on a stool at the execution
   • As a priest sent over from the palace of Kaifa
   • As a merchant who sells wine to the procurator

   He is the man who whispered with Pilate before the sentencing and sat on a three-legged stool during the execution.

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3. 3

   Question 3. What does the guest advise about the cohort of the Lightning legion?

   • Correct answer: It can leave, ideally parading through the city
   • It should search the Lower City for Bar-Rabban
   • It should stay in the city until the feast is over
   • It should guard the palace of Kaifa through the night

   He says the cohort can go and that it would be good if it paraded through the city in farewell.

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4. 4

   Question 4. Why does the guest believe Bar-Rabban is no longer a danger?

   • He has fled the city and gone into the desert
   • He has sworn loyalty to the Roman procurator
   • He is being held under guard in the Antonia Tower
   • Correct answer: He is now too famous to rebel without being watched

   Pilate suggests Bar is 'too famous,' and the guest agrees it would be awkward for him to rebel now; he will also be followed.

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5. 5

   Question 5. According to Aphranius, how does Judas of Kiriath earn his living?

   • Correct answer: He works in the money-changing shop of a relative
   • He sells oil and wine in a bazaar of the Lower City
   • He copies scrolls as a scribe in the great temple
   • He keeps the accounts for the high priest Kaifa

   Aphranius says Judas works in the money-changing shop of one of his relatives, fitting his one passion, money.

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6. 6

   Question 6. What does Pilate say the plotters will send to the high priest along with the money?

   • A warning that the high priest himself is next
   • Correct answer: A note that says 'I return the cursed money'
   • The cloak that Judas wore on the night of the arrest
   • A letter naming the man who paid for the arrest

   Pilate claims a secret friend of Ha-Nozri plans to foist the money on the high priest with that note, which Aphranius agrees would cause a great scandal.

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7. 7

   Question 7. What does Pilate demand from Aphranius as he leaves?

   • A list of every follower of Ha-Nozri in the city
   • A guard posted at the palace of Kaifa until dawn
   • Correct answer: A report on the burial and on Judas that same night
   • A written account of the execution to send to Rome

   Pilate wants both reports that night and orders the convoy to wake him the moment Aphranius appears.

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8. 8

   Question 8. What does the exchange 'So they will kill him, Hegemon?' 'Yes' most strongly suggest?

   • That Aphranius doubts the procurator's informant
   • That Aphranius means to warn Judas in secret
   • That Pilate fears the plot will be blamed on Rome
   • Correct answer: That both men understand the killing as an order

   Pilate's order to protect Judas reads as a disguise: his certainty that Judas will die tonight, and Aphranius's stern question, suggest the real instruction being passed.

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9. 9

   Question 9. Which of these events actually occur in Chapter 25?

   • Pilate raises his cup and toasts Caesar, father of the Romans.

     Happened

     Pilate and his guest pour wine on the meat platter, and Pilate raises his cup to toast Caesar, father of the Romans, best and dearest of men.

   • Aphranius tells Pilate he already knew about the plot against Judas.

     Didn't happen

     Aphranius says he does not have this information and that he does not deserve the report Pilate promised to send to Rome.

   • Pilate says he will dismiss the cohort the day after tomorrow.

     Happened

     Pilate says he will dismiss the cohort the day after tomorrow and leave himself, though he would give a lot to go today.

   • Pilate names the person who told him about the plot.

     Didn't happen

     Pilate asks to be permitted not to say who supplied the information, calling it accidental, obscure and uncertain.

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10. 10

    Question 10. Which of these details are part of the conversation on the balcony?

    • Aphranius reports that Yeshua preached at length to the soldiers.

      Didn't happen

      Aphranius says Yeshua was not talkative this time; the only thing he said was that he considered cowardice one of the first human vices.

    • Pilate asks Aphranius to turn down any transfer with a raise.

      Happened

      Pilate asks Aphranius to decline any transfer elsewhere with a raise and remain here, saying he would not want to part with him for anything.

    • Aphranius says Judas has already received his payment.

      Didn't happen

      Aphranius corrects Pilate: Judas will get the money this evening, when he is summoned to the palace of Kaifa.

    • Aphranius returns to the table in a dry crimson military cloak.

      Happened

      After changing out of his drenched clothes, the visitor appears on the balcony in dry sandals and a dry crimson military cloak.

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11. 11

    Question 11. What does 'loquacious' mean as used in: 'he was not loquacious this time'?

    • Correct answer: Talkative
    • Obedient
    • Cheerful
    • Frightened

    Loquacious means talkative; Aphranius reports that Yeshua said very little at the execution.

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12. 12

    Question 12. What does 'presentiment' mean as used in: 'most of all I must trust my presentiment'?

    • A gift given in thanks
    • Correct answer: A feeling of what will happen
    • A formal report sent to Rome
    • A written order from Caesar

    A presentiment is a feeling that something is about to happen; Pilate uses his to insist Judas will die tonight.

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13. 13

    Question 13. What does 'calumnies' mean as used in: 'reading denunciations and calumnies'?

    • Letters of thanks and praise
    • Requests for a royal pardon
    • Correct answer: False, damaging statements
    • Official records of taxes

    Calumnies are false statements meant to harm someone's reputation; Pilate complains that half are written against himself.

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