View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. According to the Curator, what republic refuses the Inquisition any say in scientific affairs?

2. After finding out about Ludovico's interests, how much does Galileo say he is going to charge him for private tuition?

3. What does Galileo use to represent the sun when explaining the rotation of the Earth to Andrea?

4. Why does the Grand Duke of Tuscany come to Galileo's home?

5. At the ball, what mask does Cardinal Bellarmin wear? (Scene VI)

Short Essay Questions

1. Cardinal Barberini quoted Ecclesiastes, the Preacher, when he first addressed Galileo at the party. What is Galileo's response to the Cardinal?

2. Why does Galileo believe that naming the new stars by the name Medici would allow him some leeway on his studies?

3. Describe why the Ptolemaic system model is accepted by the majority of society as the truth for how the solar system exists.

4. What is the relevance of the song at Cardinal Bellarmin's party?

5. Why is the Curator angry with Galileo after Galileo received his raise from the University with the Curator's help?

6. Why is Andrea's mother, Sarti, worried about Galileo teaching Andrea about the revolving of the Earth around the sun?

7. How does Galileo explain the illumination of the moon and earth to Sagredo?

8. Why does Galileo say the sailing of ships across the sea creates "a great desire has arisen to fathom the causes of all thing[s]"?

9. What does Virginia find out about her father's fame on the day of the party at Cardinal Bellarmin's?

10. Why did Galileo, as pointed out by Sagredo, teach the Ptolemaic model over the Copernican model given his belief in the Copernican model of the universe?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the carnival scene. What was important about the scene? What did you learn from the scene? Given that it takes the movement away from the main action of the play, why was the scene necessary?

Essay Topic 2

Character Analysis: Discuss Galileo as a character. What kind of character was Galileo? Use textual evidence to support each of the three character traits that you align with Galileo.

Essay Topic 3

"I am entirely in agreement with the position taken up by Cardinal Spoletti towards the mutinous rope-makers, namely, that it is better to dole out soup in the name of Christian brotherly love than to pay them more for their" hawsers and bell-ropes. For surely it must be wiser to fortify their faith rather than their greed. The Apostle Paul said: Charity aboundeth." Galileo made the following statement in response to a question posed by Monsignor Carpula for the archbishop. After making the statement, Galileo worried if one could see any irony in the statement. Discuss the possible irony that Galileo worried about. What could one find that was ironic in the statement? Why could this be considered ironic? What trouble would it cause for Galileo if one did find irony in the statement?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,125 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample