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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 does Jamie find out about abandoned babies?

2. What does Severo do when Amara answers Fra Murta's second set of questions?

3. How does Palinor feel about Aclar?

4. What does Severo do about Beneditx?

5. Why does Severo give Palinor to Fra Murta?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Jamie find out when he asks around about abandoned babies?

2. What does Jamie do when he comes for Amara and what does he do with her?

3. Describe Severo's night the night before Palinor is burned.

4. What does Amara do after Jamie leaves her?

5. Why is Severo looking on a map of the world?

6. What do the servants at Saracen's house demand of Fra Murta?

7. What does Fra Murta ask Amara and how does she respond?

8. What does Sor Agnete realize about the crucifix in the chapel?

9. What does Severo say to Fra Murta to explain his behavior concerning Palinor? How does the Fra feel about it?

10. What happens when Palinor is tortured?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Now that Beneditx has spent time with Palinor, he realizes that a man can be good without knowing God. Palinor has been nothing but kind and respectful to the people he has encountered, and he has used his time at Saracen's House to study and to make practical improvements to the grounds and for its servants.

1. Write a comparison of how Beneditx's and Palinor's relationship has changed compared to two persons from very different cultures who get to know each other well.

2. If nonbelievers can be good and believers can be bad, explain what you think creates a good or a bad person.

3. Do you think Palinor is being illogical for helping people who might put him to death? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Fra Murta believes a country without religion sounds horrible, as religious leaders believe people's belief in God is the only thing that keeps them from sinning. Palinor counters by saying that people also will abide by laws, because they make sense, again providing an alternate explanation for something Grandinsula's leaders previously have attributed only to God.

1. Do you think people obey the law in America because the law makes sense? Why or why not?

2. Do you think Palinor's statement about the law holds true for every person who lives in Aclar? Why or why not?

3. Why do you think the religious leaders have such little faith in men obeying the law?

Essay Topic 3

Severo's dream brings to light the role the Cardinal has played in Palinor's downfall. Severo easily could have let Palinor go, as the man clearly washed up on Grandinsula by accident, but Severo chose to detain Palinor, because he was interested in talking further with the atheist. What has happened to Palinor on Grandinsula is not a result of God's providence or God's hand, but of Severo's selfish desires.

1. Do you think it is Severo's fault that Palinor is being held? Why or why not?

2. Do you think Palinor should lie to save his life? Why or why not?

3. What would you do if you were in Severo's position? How about Palinor's?

(see the answer keys)

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