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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 did Loyola do to expose and confuse the Templars?

2. What was Diotallevi's reasoning for the advice he gave to Casaubon and Belbo before he left for treatment?

3. Aglie claims that there are how many groups associated with Freemasonry?

4. Why does the mysterious caller ask Belbo to go to Paris?

5. Who tries to restrain Casaubon's growing fervor for the occult in Chapter 63?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Casaubon enter randomly chosen lines of text, which have nothing to do with the occult, into the computer?

2. Casaubon believes that John Dee played what role in the disruption of the Templars' line of communication?

3. What do Casaubon and Lia talk about while on their family vacation?

4. According to Casaubon's theory about the Jesuits, who were the Rosicrucians and the Scottish Rite Freemasons?

5. Which cloaked individuals does Casaubon recognize?

6. What happens to Belbo after receiving the last piece of the Plan from Salon?

7. What does Lia try to explain to Casaubon, in Chapter 63?

8. What does Casaubon do after the night at the Conservatoire?

9. What is the final piece of information for the Plan, supplied by Salon?

10. According to Casaubon's group, what were some of the Jesuits' accomplishments?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Casaubon misses out on a lot of time with his wife and child as a result of his occult studies, despite the fact that his wife constantly tries to bring him back to them. Why does he prefer the Plan and other students of the occult to his own family? What is he seeking, that is so important? What sacrifices does he make, during his search for truth, and how do his sacrifices affect his family? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the author's reasons for writing this novel. What can you infer about his views of the occult, based on this novel and the way it is presented? Do you think Casaubon is a character to whom he can relate? Why or why not? In what way do the author's views come out in the novel? 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.

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