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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 is Belbo's profession?

2. Casaubon and others are invited to join Aglie at an occult ritual outside of what city?

3. Why does Casaubon have difficulty researching the group that interests him, in Chapter 27?

4. What are the origins of the religious ceremonies that exist where Casaubon is living?

5. Where does Casaubon move, in Chapter 25?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Aglie's response when Casaubon asks him why he associates himself with so many different occult practices?

2. What is Project Hermes?

3. Why are the Rosicrucians so difficult to research, compared to the Knights Templar?

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

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

6. What does Belbo tell Casaubon during their phone call two days before the museum rendezvous?

7. What were the origins of the Knights Templar?

8. How did the Knights Templar become such a rich and powerful organization?

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

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

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

The author includes a great deal of technical information related to mathematics, physics, and other scientific disciplines. What purpose does this information serve in the novel? Why does the author choose to include it? How would the novel be different without the addition of this information? Do you agree with its inclusion, or would the novel have been better without it? Why? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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