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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. Why are the nuns distressed?

2. What does Fra Murta ask Palinor three days after he is confined?

3. What does Severo tell Fra Murta is the reason he didn't follow procedure with Palinor?

4. What do Severo and Fra Murta find out about Amara's knowledge of God?

5. What does Severo wish he could do?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What do the nuns believe about Amara and what do they do about it?

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

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

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

6. Why does Severo say the experiment with Amara is void?

7. Describe Severo's dream and what he sees is the moral in it.

8. Summarize the discussion between Severo and Fra Murta about conscience and Palinor.

9. What does Beneditx say to Palinor about his new knowledge of nonbelievers? What does Palinor say to him?

10. What does Palinor think about as far as writings of St. Augustine?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The theme of whether coincidences or luck have a place in a world supposedly ruled by God comes into play in Chapter 1.

1. What do you think the statement above means? Use examples from the book to support your answer.

2. There are some belief systems which state there are no coincidences. Discuss what you think about this belief.

3. Do you think the theme of whether coincidences or luck have a place in a world is adequately supported in the first chapter? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Severo gets further proof of his belief that all things are God-ordained, when he encounters Josefa at Sant Clara. What one man sees as evidence of God's work, however, may look like a series of coincidences to another.

1. Do you think the fact of Josefa being at the convent is farther proof that there are no coincidences or accidents? Why or why not?

2. What do you think is meant by the second statement above? Use examples from the book to support your answer.

3. Discuss a situation you or someone you know have experienced that would support or disavow Severo's belief in all things being God-ordained.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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