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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. According to the Curator, what republic refuses the Inquisition any say in scientific affairs?

2. How old does Ludovico say the invention he saw in Holland was?

3. While at the ball, what chapter of the Bible do both Cardinal Bellarmin and Cardinal Barberini quote?

4. Who is Virginia's Father Confessor?

5. At the ball, what mask does Barberini wear? (Scene VI)

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the Inquisitor have the conversation between Galileo and Cardinal Bellarmin transcribed?

2. Describe why the Ptolemaic system model is accepted by the majority of society as the truth for how the solar system exists.

3. Why does Galileo say the sailing of ships across the sea creates "a great desire has arisen to fathom the causes of all thing[s]"?

4. What lie does Galileo tell the Senators about the telescope to secure his raise at the University?

5. How does Galileo explain the illumination of the moon and earth to Sagredo?

6. Why does Galileo refuse to let Virginia look through the telescope?

7. What does Virginia find out about her father's fame on the day of the party at Cardinal Bellarmin's?

8. What does Galileo say fueled his desire to discover new philosophies?

9. When Andrea questions Galileo about the Ptolemaic system model, what is Galileo's answer?

10. Why is Andrea's mother, Sarti, worried about Galileo teaching Andrea about the revolving of the Earth around the sun?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one of the scenarios that Galileo used to describe a statement or argument. Describe why the argument/statement worked to explain what Galileo was trying to say. What point was he trying to make? What was the example that he used to illustrate his meaning? How effective was the illustration?

Essay Topic 2

"He who does not know the truth is merely an idiot, but he who knows it and calls it a lie, is a criminal." Both Galileo and Andrea spoke these words during the action of the play. Find and discuss two references to being an "idiot" and a "criminal" in the play. Who was regarded as an "idiot"? Why? Who was regarded as a "criminal"? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the difference between the Ptolemaic model and the Copernican model. What did the Ptolemaic model represent? What did the Copernican model represent? Why was the Ptolemaic model accepted over the Copernican model? What did the acceptance of the Copernican model suggest?

(see the answer keys)

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