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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What fascinates the narrator the most about the planet of Tlon?

2. What body organ begins a dream of the protagonist in "The Circular Ruins"?

3. In "The Circular Ruins," what happens to the body organ in the protagonist's dream?

4. In "The Approach to Al-Mu'tasim," why does the student decide to travel the country?

5. What does the lottery cause?

Short Essay Questions

1. In "The Circular Ruins," what fear does the protagonist have for his son?

2. What is the most important possession to the people of Tlon?

3. What opinion does Pierre Menard have of Cervantes' "Don Quixote"?

4. Describe Dr. Yu Tsun.

5. Why can't the inappropriate information in the library of Babel be destroyed?

6. What opinion does the narrator of "Pierre Menard, Author of Don Quixote" have of Menard's work?

7. What is discovered among the late Herbert Ashe's belongings?

8. What fear does the Company in "The Babylon Lottery" inspire?

9. Describe Al-Mu'tasim.

10. In "Tlon, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius," what dispute arises from the discussion about mirrors?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Borges use the theme of betrayal in his work? According to Borges, what are the long- and short-term effects of betrayal? What lesson does Borges teach about betrayal through "The Form of the Sword"?

Essay Topic 2

How does Borges use fictional and legitimate literature to express his themes? What effect does the use of historically accurate references and literature have on the realism of Borges' work? What effect does the insertion of both fictional and legitimate literature have on the reader's perception of his work?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the philosophy of idealism. How does Borges express the tenets of idealism in "The Circular Ruins"? What power does Borges attribute to the human mind?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,141 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample