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

2. What is April March?

3. Where is "The Babylon Lottery" set?

4. How does Pierre Menard describe "Don Quixote"?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. Describe Al-Mu'tasim.

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

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

7. Describe Herbert Quain.

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Borges' philosophy of fate as expressed in his work. How do the actions of his characters affect their fate? In Borges' work, what contradictions exist between fate and destiny? Is fate determined by choice or are choices predetermined by fate?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the use of dreams and alternate reality in Borges' work. What abilities are Borges' characters given in these alternate states? How does Borges use alternate states to express his themes?

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