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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 angers Hilde concerning the passage, "We are a living planet, Sophie"?

2. As the Major travels home, what sign does he read?

3. When is Hilde's dad supposed to arrive home?

4. How does Sophie feel about Berkeley's theory?

5. What does Freud develop?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Freud relate to the theme "bravery" of this novel?

2. Was it odd when Sophie met Alice in Wonderland and Winnie the Pooh? Why or why not?

3. What is the author's tone toward Sophie and her mother in the Berkley chapter? Why?

4. Freud analyzes dreams. What sort of dreams do people analyze today? Why would people want to analyze their dreams?

5. Kant looked at the individual's perception as most important. How is this theory applicable to Sophie?

6. Hilde still believes that Sophie and Alberto exist on some level. What is the author's attitude toward the subject? Why?

7. Hume believes that ethics come from sentiments and customs. How does this belief apply to Alberto?

8. The ideal of the romantics is for complete originality. Does our culture still value that ideal today? How?

9. Do you think the Major and Hilde are characters within a book, like a dream within a dream within a dream? Why?

10. What examples of natural selection do you know of?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Look at the chapter titles. The first title is "The Garden of Eden." Why would Gaarder begin his novel this way? Some of the titles are simplistic, such as the names of philosophers. Others have more meaning. Analyze these titles and relate them to the deeper meaning presented in the corresponding chapter.

Essay Topic 2

Often times, a novel's setting is crucial to the plot. Is that the case with "Sophie's World"? Could this story have taken place anywhere? Would all societies be open to learning about different philosophers? Examine if the setting plays a significant factor in the novel.

Essay Topic 3

Characterize Major Knag. Look at his name--does the play on his name have significance? How do Hilde and Alberto indirectly characterize him? How is he directly characterized?

(see the answer keys)

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