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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 event was depicted in the second picture "The Road to Emmaus" that Ricci showed Cheng Dayue?

2. During the Renaissance, what did Ignatius Loyola encourage Jesuits to do with their possessions?

3. At what was Ricci particularly adept during his studies in Rome during the Renaissance that helped him later with the Chinese?

4. Which one of these is NOT part of the location where Ricci placed the new image in the Memory Palace?

5. How many children were in Ricci's family?

Short Essay Questions

1. According to "Chapter Six, The Third Image: Profit and Harvest", what was the third Chinese character that Ricci use and what did he do with it?

2. According to "Chapter Eight, The Fourth Image: The Fourth Picture", what was the relationship between Matteo Ricci and Girolamo Costa?

3. What was Ricci's attitude toward Buddhism?

4. How was Ricci able to learn the Chinese language?

5. Why did Ricci wish he had more money?

6. How did the Chinese receive the ideas of Western science?

7. How did Ricci use this third picture in his work with the Chinese?

8. Where in the Memory Palace did Ricci place this last image?

9. What was happening to the commercial side of life at this time?

10. What was ironic about the death of Pope Paul IV in 1559?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Matteo Ricci appreciated much about China and the Chinese, including the Confucian moral system. Explain the Confucian moral system and the way it compares and contrasts to another major religion, such as Judaism, Catholicism or Islam.

Essay Topic 2

The last chapter of the book relies on imagery to convey Ricci's last look at the Memory Palace. Discuss the way the author appeals to the five senses and the way the imagery develops the summation of Ricci's life.

Essay Topic 3

During the 16th century, the political life of Italy was unstable. Connected by a number of city-states, the country was constantly drawn into internal and external feuds, war and violence. Adding to the chaos was the powerful presence of the Catholic Church and the role of the pope. Taking into account his age, his family's position in the community, and his education, explain how these events influenced Matteo Ricci.

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