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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 happens to Herbert Ashe in "Tlon, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius"?

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

3. How many stories are contained in April March?

4. Who is Herbert Ashe?

5. Why are some lottery players imprisoned?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. In "The Circular Ruins," what fear does the protagonist have for his son?

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

4. Describe the first dream from "The Circular Ruins."

5. Describe Al-Mu'tasim.

6. Describe Dr. Yu Tsun.

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

8. Why is the student trying to find Al-Mu'tasim?

9. Who are the Purifiers?

10. Describe Pierre Menard.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Borges use the themes of violence and revenge in his work? What satisfaction do his characters receive from violence and revenge? What positive and negative consequences do these characters experience?

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

How does Borges use fictional and legitimate literature to express his themes? What effect does the use of historically accurate references and literature have on the realism of Borges' work? What effect does the insertion of both fictional and legitimate literature have on the reader's perception of his work?

(see the answer keys)

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