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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is The Secret Mirror?
(a) A play.
(b) A short story.
(c) A magazine article.
(d) A novel.

2. What does the narrator believe will eventually happen to the planet on which he lives?
(a) It will be taken over by Tlon.
(b) It will be destroyed by time.
(c) It will begin to look like Tertius.
(d) It will merge with Uqbar.

3. From what point of view is "The Circular Ruins" written?
(a) Second person omniscient.
(b) First person.
(c) Second person.
(d) Third person.

4. In "The Babylon Lottery," which characters first sponsor the lottery?
(a) Lawyers.
(b) Merchants.
(c) Bankers.
(d) Barbers.

5. What do the Purifiers burn?
(a) Library cards.
(b) Ashes.
(c) Inappropriate books.
(d) The library.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who approaches Dr. Stephen Albert's house while he and Dr. Yu Tsun are conversing?

2. Who is Dr. Yu Tsun?

3. How is the universe described in "The Library of Babel"?

4. Why do some lottery players protest the rules of the lottery?

5. What fear does the protagonist of "The Circular Ruins" have for his son?

Short Essay Questions

1. What opinion does the narrator of "Pierre Menard, Author of Don Quixote" have of Menard's work?

2. Why can't the inappropriate information in the library of Babel be destroyed?

3. What is the significance of the student in "The Approach of Al-Mu'tasim" relinquishing his social status?

4. According to the narrator, what is the most important theme of "The Approach of Al-Mu'tasim"?

5. What revelation does the narrator have about Uqbar and Tlon at the end of the story, "Tlon, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius"?

6. In "The Examination of the World of Herbert Quain," how does Borges use fictional literature to present his themes?

7. Describe Dr. Yu Tsun.

8. What fear does the Company in "The Babylon Lottery" inspire?

9. In "Tlon, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius," what dispute arises from the discussion about mirrors?

10. What inconsistencies exist in the writings of Herbert Quain?

(see the answer keys)

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