Problem: Muslims believe the Quran was verbally revealed by God to Muhammad through the angel Gabriel (Jibril), gradually over a period of approximately 23 years, beginning on 22 December 609 CE, when Muhammad was 40, and concluding in 632, the year of his death. Muslims regard the Quran as the most important miracle of Muhammad, a proof of his prophethood, and the culmination of a series of divine messages that started with the messages revealed to Adam and ended with Muhammad. The word "Quran" occurs some 70 times in the text of the Quran, although different names and words are also said to be references to the Quran.

According to the traditional narrative, several companions of Muhammad served as scribes and were responsible for writing down the revelations. Shortly after Muhammad's death, the Quran was compiled by his companions who wrote down and memorized parts of it. These codices had differences that motivated the Caliph Uthman to establish a standard version now known as Uthman's codex, which is generally considered the archetype of the Quran known today. There are, however, variant readings, with mostly minor differences in meaning.
1. What is the name of the book?
2. How long did it take to complete?
3. Who transcribed it?
4. Who gave the message?
5. Who spoke to him?
6. Through whom?
7. When did Muhammad die?
8. About how old was he?
9. Who established a correct type of the book?
10. What is the book regarded as?
Answer: 1. the Quran
2. approximately 23 years
3. several companions of Muhammad
4. Muhammad
5. God
6. the angel Gabriel (Jibril)
7. 632
8. 63
9. Caliph Uthman
10. Uthman's codex

Problem: In 50 years of traveling, Colin McCorpuodale has visited every country in the world except three. And everywhere he goes, he sends himself a postcard. He always chooses a postcard with beautiful scenery . Usually he writes just a short message to himself. However, he wrote an interesting story on his latest one, from the Malians Island. Mr. McCorpuodale lives in London. On one of the walls in his room, you can see a large map of the world. There are hundreds of little red pins stuck in it. "These pins mean a lot to me." says Mr. McCorpuodale, "I follow the rule. I'm allowed to stick one in only if I've been in a place for more than 24 hours." Naturally, Mr. McCorpuodale has his favorite places. New Zealand, he describes as "a wonderful country". About China, he says, "This is the country in the world which is completely different. There is no European influence." Wherever he goes, Mr. McCorpuodale takes with him a photo of his wife, a candle, a shirt with a secret pocket and a pen. So why does he do it? For the postcards or the travels? Mr. McCorpuodale laughs, "Neither. Only for the meaningful life."
1. Which islands did Colin visit recently?
2. where does he live?
3. how many years has he been traveling?
4. what is on the wall of his room?
5. how many countries has he yet to visit?
6. what does he send himself after visiting each place?
7. what is stuck in the map?
8. how long does he have to visit a country before he can mark it with a pin?
9. what is pictured on the postcards?
10. does he write short messages or long ones usually?
11. did he write a short or long one this time?
12. what does he think of New Zealand?
13. what does Colin take with him everywhere he goes?
14. does he think China is influenced by Europe?
Answer: 1. Malians
2. London
3. 50
4. a map
5. three
6. a postcard
7. little red pins
8. 24 hours
9. beautiful scenery
10. short
11. an interesting one
12. it's wonderful
13. a photo of his wife, a candle, a shirt and a pen
14. not at all

Problem: (CNN) -- Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has made an emotional appeal after his father was abducted in his native Nigeria.

"Please just let him go," he told Sky Sports News.

"He's just an old man, he hasn't done any harm to anyone as far as I know and I don't know why he has been taken."

Michael Obi, who runs a transport company in Jos, the main city in Plateau State in central Nigeria, has not been seen or heard of since he failed to return home from work last Friday.

Obi Mikel was told of the problem just before the start of Chelsea's Premier League match at Stoke Sunday which finished goalless and said his father was at the forefront of his thoughts throughout the match.

"Nigeria is the country I am from, I've always tried to help my country in any way I can, playing for my country or anything," he said.

"This is a time where I need the country to help me. Whoever has got my dad, whoever knows where my dad is, please contact me and hopefully he can be released."

Chelsea have given Mikel their support in a statement on their official website.

"Everyone at Chelsea Football Club was very concerned to hear that John Mikel Obi's father has been reported as missing and possibly abducted.

"We will give Mikel and his family our full support at this most difficult time."

Mikel confirmed they had not heard from his father's abductors and no ransom had yet been demanded.
1. who play for Chelsea?
2. did something happen to one of his family members?
3. which one?
4. what is his name?
5. what happened to him?
6. in what country?
7. what position does the son play?
8. when did he learn about the incident?
9. for what league?
10. on what day?
11. where?
12. is his team supportive?
13. how do you know?
14. where is the son from?
15. do they know what the kidnappers want?
Answer:
1. John Obi Mikel
2. Yes
3. his father
4. Michael Obi
5. he was abducted
6. Nigeria
7. midfielder
8. before a football match
9. the Premier League
10. on Sunday
11. at Stoke
12. yes
13. from a statement on their official website
14. Jos
15. no