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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 one of the uncontroversial facts Casaubon enters into the computer?

2. What did Loyola do to expose and confuse the Templars?

3. The land the Conservatoire des Arts et Metiers was built on was originally used for what?

4. Casaubon's group surmises that the purpose of Foucault's pendulum is what?

5. When Casaubon inquires about Aglie in Chapter 112, what response does he receive?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Salon and Casaubon talk about when Casaubon visits Salon in his shop?

2. What deduction do Casaubon and his group make about the Pendulum's purpose, in Chapter 99?

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

4. What happens in the story Belbo creates from Abulafia's printouts?

5. What happens to Diotallevi in Chapter 101?

6. What was the relationship between the Templars and the Jesuits, according to Casaubon's theory?

7. How does Casaubon reinterpret the message of the parchment Ardenti discovered?

8. What does Belbo say about the believability of the Plan, in Chapter 100?

9. Why does Casaubon include a group not related to the Freemasons when constructing his time line?

10. Which cloaked individuals does Casaubon recognize?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the theme of knowledge without understanding in the novel. How does the use of technology to accomplish some tasks diminish the significance of the result? How does each character feel about using computers and technology to perform certain tasks, such as permutations, and why? How does this theme, in the novel, reflect the increasing use of technology in modern society, and the author's attitude about it? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

The women in Casaubon's life have a great impact on him, and affect his search for knowledge in various ways. What is Amparo's background, and how does she feel about the occult? What does Casaubon learn from her? What is Lia's outlook on Casaubon's occult activities? What does Casaubon learn from her? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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