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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. Why does Cheroki find standing and kneeling uncomfortable?

2. What does the pilgrim find for Brother Francis?

3. What does Brother Francis find that has the name Leibowitz, I.E. on it?

4. Why does the Pope say Francis' time creating the illustrated blueprint was not wasted?

5. Why is Brother Francis reluctant to speak to the pilgrim?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Taddeo's ideas about history.

2. What did Leibowitz do after the Flame Deluge?

3. Compare the robber's view of the illuminated blueprint and the original relic to Francis's.

4. Describe Francis's life before the monastery.

5. Why is Arkos glad to have the Dominicans investigating Francis's find?

6. What does Brother Francis need to protect himself against in the desert?

7. Why does Arkos accuse Francis of doing damage?

8. Why doesn't Francis want to join the Pope's crusade?

9. Why does the Church have a Devil's Advocate?

10. Why doesn't Francis merely tell the abbot what he wants to hear?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Taddeo believes that he finds evidence that the current human race was a created race of servants, inferior to the great civilization of the past. His own personal view of humanity colors how he views this evidence. Discuss the way that personal points of view affect the interpretation of evidence and events throughout the novel. Include in your discussion Francis, Cheroki, and Arkos' reactions to the discovery of the Fallout Shelter; Paulo, Taddeo, and Armbruster's reactions to the electric light; and Zerchi's reaction to reports of movements or responses from Mrs. Grales' second head, Rachel.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss faith versus science in the context of the novel. Which characters value faith, and which characters value science? Include Francis, Leibowitz, Taddeo, Dr. Cors, and Zerchi in your discussion, as well as any other characters you feel are significant to the idea of faith versus science. Are the two always incompatible? How do the fates of the characters and of the society relate to faith and to science?

Essay Topic 3

What is the nature and meaning of ritual in the novel? What is the purpose of the elaborate ritual of canonization, although the Pope and Vatican are poor? What are the rituals of the monks, and do they serve to preserve knowledge or to hide it? What is the purpose of Francis' ritual fast in the desert? Are these and other rituals in the novel effective? What happens when ritual loses its original meaning?

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