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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. Who is the student searching for in "The Approach to Al-Mu'tasim"?

2. In "The Babylon Lottery," which characters first sponsor the lottery?

3. What is Qaphqa?

4. To whom does the protagonist in "The Circular Ruins" pray?

5. How many books does the library of Babel contain?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the second dream from "The Circular Ruins."

2. What is the most important possession to the people of Tlon?

3. Describe Pierre Menard.

4. What is the irony prevalent in "Pierre Menard, Author of Don Quixote"?

5. What does Dr. Stephen Albert reveal to Dr. Yu Tsun?

6. Describe the satire present in "An Examination of the Work of Herbert Quain."

7. Describe Herbert Quain.

8. Why does Dr. Yu Tsun murder Dr. Albert?

9. How does the Babylon lottery cause an uprising?

10. What is discovered among the late Herbert Ashe's belongings?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Borges' use of infinity. How does he use verbal imagery to describe the concept of infinity? What relationship does Borges' create between the infinite universe and the finite human mind? How does he use infinite images and descriptions to express his themes?

Essay Topic 2

What ironies does Borges point out in literature? How does Borges use style to create irony? What themes does Borges express through the use of irony?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Borges' use of labyrinths in "Ficciones." How does a labyrinth differ from a maze? How do characters create labyrinths, and what purpose do they serve? What warnings does Borges give his readers through the use of labyrinths?

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This section contains 1,116 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample