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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 word does Casaubon finally use to unlock Belbo's computer?

2. The Knights Templar began during what time?

3. Mr. Garamond's other publishing company publishes only what type of authors?

4. Lorenza claims, in Chapter 49, that Aglie gave her what item?

5. What job does Casaubon get in Chapter 37?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Casaubon and De Angelis discuss at their second meeting?

2. How does Aglie feel about Lorenza?

3. What are the origins of the religious traditions of Brazil, according to Aglie's discussion with Casaubon and Amparo?

4. What offer does Casaubon receive from Belbo in Chapter 37?

5. How do Belbo and Casaubon become involved with the police, in Chapter 24?

6. Why does Professor Bramanti meet with Mr. Garamond?

7. What is Casaubon doing, as the novel opens?

8. What changed, in Italy, during the time that Casaubon was living in Brazil?

9. Who is Casaubon?

10. How did the official end of the Knights Templar occur?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the character of Lorenza, and her role as a symbol of knowledge. Why does Aglie call her Sophia? What does that name mean? How does she interact with the other characters, particularly Casaubon? How do her interactions with the other characters reflect their search for knowledge? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

Many different views are expressed in the novel regarding occult knowledge; for example, Bramanti wants to disseminate occult knowledge because of the power inherent in it, whereas Garamond cares only for the profit that can be gained from selling it. Discuss the different views of occult knowledge and mysticism presented in the novel, and reasons for each of those views. Which one do you agree with most, and why? Which one do you think the author would agree with, and why? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

Diotallevi believes that permutations, and other searches for occult knowledge, should be performed manually, whereas Belbo and Casaubon want to use Abulafia to perform these tasks. What is Diotallevi's reasoning for his preference? How do Belbo and Casaubon respond to him? What is lost when a task is performed by a computer, instead of being performed manually? How does the lack of effort created by this method change the meaning or outcome of the task? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

(see the answer keys)

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