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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 prediction does Galileo make to Andrea about astronomy?

2. While talking to Andrea about the ships that had found new continents, what does Galileo call the "dreaded ocean"?

3. According to the "Very Thin Monk," what is equated with the home of the human race?

4. What does Galileo use to represent the sun when explaining the rotation of the Earth to Andrea?

5. What does the stone at the center of the Ptolemaic system model represent?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What is the relevance of the song at Cardinal Bellarmin's party?

5. What does Galileo do to explain the movement of the Earth around the sun to Andrea?

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

7. Why does the Inquisitor tell Virginia that Galileo's new picture of the universe was harmful?

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

9. Why does Galileo believe that he and Virgina need to move to Florence?

10. Why does Ludovico seem upset with Galileo at the end of Scene II?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Courage is a theme masked by the scientific overtone of the play, but courage is relevant. Find three courageous moments during the play. Discuss the person who was courageous, why they were courageous, and what happened to them because of their courage. Cite examples from the text to support your statements.

Essay Topic 2

The truth of science and the truth of religion are conflicted throughout the play. Discuss the following: 1) Why was the truth of religion weighed heavier than the truth of science? 2) How did new thought challenge the church? 3) How did the Church have so much clout in determining its power over new thought related to science?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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