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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 do the Purifiers burn?

2. What opinion does the narrator have of Herbert Quain's work?

3. Where is "The Babylon Lottery" set?

4. What is unique about the objects from Tlon that are released into the narrator's world?

5. Who examines Pierre Menard's manuscripts?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who are the Purifiers?

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

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

4. Describe Dr. Yu Tsun.

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is absurdist fiction, and how does Borges employ this genre in his work? What relationship exists between absurdism and satire? What is the purpose of absurdist fiction, and how is it often misinterpreted?

Essay Topic 2

Several of Borges' stories are designed to imitate detective mysteries and puzzles. Describe how he uses these literary devices and styles to express his themes. What responsibility does Borges place on the readers of these stories? How does the reader's search for a solution teach him or her about the theme?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the theme of information as presented in "Ficciones." According to Borges, what role does information play in society? How do individuals seek to control information? Can information be suppressed?

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