Q: Zoroastrianism, or more natively Mazdayasna, is one of the world's oldest extant religions, "combining a cosmogonic dualism and eschatological monotheism in a manner unique [...] among the major religions of the world". Ascribed to the teachings of the Iranian prophet Zoroaster (or Zarathustra), it exalts a deity of wisdom, Ahura Mazda ("Wise Lord"), as its Supreme Being. Major features of Zoroastrianism, such as messianism, heaven and hell, and free will have, some believe, influenced other religious systems, including Second Temple Judaism, Gnosticism, Christianity, and Islam.

With possible roots dating back to the second millennium BCE, Zoroastrianism enters recorded history in the 5th-century BCE, and along with a Mithraic Median prototype and a Zurvanist Sassanid successor it served as the state religion of the pre-Islamic Iranian empires from around 600 BCE to 650 CE. Zoroastrianism was suppressed from the 7th century onwards following the Muslim conquest of Persia of 633654. Recent estimates place the current number of Zoroastrians at around 190000, with most living in India and in Iran and their number is declining. Besides the Zoroastrian diaspora, the older Mithraic faith Yazdanism is still practised amongst Kurds.

The most important texts of the religion are those of the Avesta, which includes the writings of Zoroaster known as the Gathas, enigmatic poems that define the religion's precepts, and the Yasna, the scripture. The full name by which Zoroaster addressed the deity is: Ahura, The Lord Creator, and Mazda, Supremely Wise. The religious philosophy of Zoroaster divided the early Iranian gods of Proto-Indo-Iranian tradition, but focused on responsibility, and did not create a devil per-se. Zoroaster proclaimed that there is only one God, the singularly creative and sustaining force of the Universe, and that human beings are given a right of choice, and because of cause and effect are also responsible for the consequences of their choices. The contesting force to Ahura Mazda was called Angra Mainyu, or angry spirit. Post-Zoroastrian scripture introduced the concept of Ahriman, the Devil, which was effectively a personification of Angra Mainyu.

Answer the following questions:
1. What does Zoroastrianism combine?
2. What are the most important texts of the religion called?
3. who's writings does it include?
4. When do it's roots possibly date to?
5. to which Iranian prophet does it's teachings ascribe to?
6. When did it serve as the state religion of the pre-Islamic Iranian empires?
7. When was it suppressed?
8. What diety does it exalt?
9. What is the current number of Zoroastrians estamated?
10. How many gods does Zoroastrianism beleive in?
11. What is the contesting force to Ahura Mazda called?
12. Are there any major features of Zoroastrianism?
13. Like what?
14. What are some religion sytems beleived to be influenced by these?
A: 1. It combines a cosmogonic dualism and eschatological monotheism in a manner unique [...] among the major religions of the world"
2. Avesta
3. the writings of Zoroaster known as the Gathas
4. the second millennium BCE
5. Zoroaster (or Zarathustra)
6. from around 600 BCE to 650 CE
7. the 7th century onwards
8. Ahura Mazda ("Wise Lord")
9. around 190000
10. one
11. Angra Mainyu
12. yes
13. messianism, heaven and hell, and free will have
14. Second Temple Judaism, Gnosticism, Christianity, and Islam.
Q: Actress Patricia Modell, who was married to former Cleveland Browns/Baltimore Ravens owner Art Modell, died Wednesday, the Ravens organization announced. She was 80.

She is survived by her husband, their two sons, John and David, and six grandchildren, the Ravens said.

Modell, also known as Patricia Breslin, appeared on television, film, and the New York stage during her 22-year acting career, the Ravens said. Her most widely known role was as nurse Meg Bentley in the daytime soap opera General Hospital in the late 1960s, and she also played Laura Brooks on the primetime TV drama "Peyton Place."

Modell was also a regular on "Twilight Zone," "Alfred Hitchcock Presents," "Perry Mason," and "Maverick."

At one point, the Ravens said, Modell had appeared in more television shows than any other woman in U.S. history. Her record was eventually broken by one of her closest friends, the late Lucille Ball.

Modell retired from acting after the couple married in 1969 and became involved in philanthropy. In Cleveland, she did work for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association, and the Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

She and her husband started and funded the Hospice of the Western Reserve in Cleveland.

Modell was a major contributor in Baltimore to the St. Vincent's Center and the Baltimore Museum of Art. The Modells contributed $3.5 million to the Lyric Opera House, which was recently renamed the Patricia and Arthur Modell Performing Arts Center at The Lyric.

The Modells pledged $5 million to help start a public boarding school, The SEED School, for disadvantaged students. They were named the 2009 Outstanding Philanthropists of the Year for their work and donations by the Association of Fundraising Professionals in Maryland.

Answer the following questions:
1. what did Patricia Modell do for a living?
2. for how long?
3. what was her best known gig?
4. in what show?
5. during what years?
6. when did she retire?
7. what did she do afterward?
8. for which organizations?
9. who was her spouse?
10. what was his job?
11. when did they marry?
12. did they have any kids?
13. how many?
14. what happened on Wednesday?
15. how old was she?
A:
1. Actress
2. 22 years
3. Meg Bentley
4. General Hospital
5. late 60's
6. 1969
7. Charity work
8. Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association, and the Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
9. Art Modell
10. He was the owner of the Browns and Ravens
11. 1969
12. Yes
13. Two, John and David
14. She died
15. 80