View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In "Funes, His Memory," what does the narrator lend Funes?
(a) Some Latin books.
(b) A book on ornithology.
(c) A book believed to be written by John Milton.
(d) A magnifying glass.

2. In "The Man on the Threshold," why is Judge Glencairn sent to the location where he disappears?
(a) He is going to review some legislation.
(b) There are riots.
(c) He is seeing a doctor.
(d) He is going to a tryst.

3. In "A Theologian in Death," Melancthon believes that salvation is achieved in what way?
(a) Through faith alone.
(b) Through living virtuously.
(c) By giving up all of one's possessions.
(d) He does not believe salvation is possible.

4. In "The Theologians," why is John of Pannonia killed?
(a) He is labeled a heretic.
(b) He dies in war.
(c) He kills himself in despair.
(d) He is accused of treason.

5. In "The Lottery in Babylon," which of these best describes what is drawn for in the lottery?
(a) A new spouse.
(b) Anything from a new occupation to jail or even death.
(c) Various books, from the simplest mechanical manuals to the highest book, one purported to teach its reader how to become immortal.
(d) Cash prizes.

Short Answer Questions

1. In "Emma Zunz," what does Emma pretend to be in order to complete her revenge?

2. In "The Improbable Impostor Tom Castro," how does Tom make a living after he gets out of jail?

3. Which of the following best describes "Ibn-Hakam-Al Bokhari, Murdered in his Labyrinth"?

4. In "Averroes' Search," what concept or concepts can Averroes not comprehend?

5. In "The Garden of Forking Paths," why does Dr. Yu murder Dr. Albert?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Borges portray theological disputes in "The Theologians"?

2. In "The Lottery in Babylon," what could the lottery symbolize?

3. In "The Improbable Impostor Tom Castro," what is Tom's relationship to Ebenezer Bogle?

4. In "The Garden of Forking Paths," why does Dr. Yu work for the Germans?

5. In "Hakim The Masked Dyer of Merv," Hakim's sect abhor mirrors and copulation. What is the significance of this abhorrence?

6. In "The Library of Babel," the imaginary library of the title is an allusion to the Tower of Babel. How is this appropriate?

7. In "The Theme of the Traitor and the Hero," why does Kilpatrick participate in his own assassination?

8. In "The Immortal," what is the result of immortality?

9. In "The Writing of the God," why does Tzinacan decide to stay in his cell?

10. In "The Secret Miracle," does Hladik really gain anything in the year of frozen time that God grants him?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,230 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample