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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. Who is Dr. Yu Tsun?
(a) A professor.
(b) A spy.
(c) A soldier.
(d) A statesman.

2. What is the name of the god of the temple in "The Circular Ruins"?
(a) Air.
(b) Fire.
(c) Sol.
(d) Luna.

3. In "The Approach of Al-Mu'tasim," which character writes a detective novel?
(a) A blind astrologer.
(b) A student.
(c) A lawyer.
(d) A robber.

4. Who are the Purifiers?
(a) A group that destroys inappropriate books.
(b) No one knows.
(c) Guardians of the Crimson Hexagon.
(d) A group of authors.

5. In "The Circular Ruins", how does the protagonist travel to the ruins?
(a) On a horse.
(b) On an eagle.
(c) In a canoe.
(d) In a cart.

Short Answer Questions

1. What body organ begins a dream of the protagonist in "The Circular Ruins"?

2. Which poetic form is discovered among Pierre Menard's manuscripts?

3. What do the Purifiers burn?

4. Which poem does Pierre Menard describe as being an essential work of literature?

5. What shape are the rooms in the library of Babel?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Dr. Yu Tsun arrive at Stephen Albert's house?

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

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

5. Describe Al-Mu'tasim.

6. What opinion does Pierre Menard have of Cervantes' "Don Quixote"?

7. Why do some players of the Babylon lottery end up in jail?

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

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

10. Who are the Purifiers?

(see the answer keys)

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