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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 cries near Phlebas’s body in Part IV, Death by Water?

2. Who is described as rudely forced in Part III, The Fire Sermon?

3. What type of bird narrates the section about the animal creeping among the vegetation in Part III, The Fire Sermon?

4. What color is the hour when Tiresias is watching?

5. What does the merchant not notice about the typist in Part III, The Fire Sermon?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Phlebas in Death by Water?

2. In The Fire Sermon, what does the typist do when she comes home?

3. Why are Elizabeth and Leicester mentioned in The Fire Sermon, what?

4. What is the significance of the title of The Fire Sermon?

5. How is Mrs. Porter described in The Fire Sermon?

6. In The Fire Sermon, what does the typist do when her lover leaves?

7. What does Tiresias witness in The Fire Sermon?

8. What is the main idea of the last section of Death by Water?

9. How does The Fire Sermon end, and what does it mean?

10. Who is Mr. Eugenides in The Fire Sermon?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Human nature is a strong symbol and theme in this poem. Where does this symbol appear, and what role does it play in the poem?

Essay Topic 2

There are many foreign languages used in this poem. What is the significance of using foreign languages?

Essay Topic 3

Historical figures are included in this poem. Who are they, and what effect does this inclusion have on the poem?

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