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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 does Sophie's dad do for a living?

2. What is the Greeks' criticism of Nordic Gods?

3. What does Sophie find in the regular mail as the story opens?

4. Politically, what is the Baroque period characterized with?

5. What is the Indo-European's view of history?

Short Essay Questions

1. Sophie recalls that time is different for the Major and HIlde, than for Sophie and Alberto. How would this exist?

2. Why would ancient people make up such elaborate stories to explain how their world works?

3. Sophie receives mail addressed to Hilde. Is she silly or foolish for opening this mail? Why?

4. What would be an example of Parmenides' beliefs in Sophie's life?

5. Epicureans believe in seeking pleasure and avoiding pain. Is this a theme of the novel? Why?

6. Why does Sophie continue to do this homework, even though it is not required of her?

7. How are Hilde and the Major connected to Sophie, as known by Chapter 13? Why?

8. Holberg's play poses the question 'How does a person know which is reality and which is a dream'? What does this foreshadow in relation to Sophie?

9. What is Sophie's den symbolic of? How?

10. Why does Alberto dress in costume to reflect his teachings? Does this enhance his lessons?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Look at the cartoon and imaginary characters throughout the book. What role do they play? How are they connected to the chapters and philosophies they are mentioned in? Is their inclusion an effective technique?

Essay Topic 2

What is the main theme of this novel? Consider ideas past the philosophers' theories. What message did these philosophers have for the audience?

Essay Topic 3

The overlap of philosophy and religion in the book is a common debate in our culture. How great is the overlap in the book? Does Sophie react to this debate? Is her reaction realistic? Why?

1) Include at least three solid examples to explain how these topics overlap.

2) Comment on Sophie's reaction to this overlap. Is her reaction to the specific examples realistic?

(see the answer keys)

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