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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 Fra Murta ask Palinor three days after he is confined?

2. What does Beneditx feel when he tries to pray?

3. What does Palinor say his country will do if they harm him?

4. Why does Fra Murta believe Amara answered his questions as she did?

5. What do the people in Ciudad do when Palinor arrives?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happened when Severo and Fra Murta question Amara for the second time?

2. What does Eseranca say about Palinor?

3. Why is Josefa pleased with the way Amara is thinking?

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

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

6. Why does Severo turn Palinor over to Fra Murta?

7. Why are the nuns upset and what does Pare Aldonza say and then suggest?

8. Why doesn't the abbess care about Amara?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Palinor tells his entire story to the court, telling them that he rose to power through his achievements and respect of his fellow countrymen, attributes that are necessary to gain authority in the theocracy of Grandinsula.

1. From the above sentence and reading in the book what do you think a theocracy is and why would that form of government be a threat to the governing body on the island?

2. Discuss what do you think of a country where a man can become king through achievements and respect?

3. Do you think, given Palinor's background there is anyway for him to find common ground with those on the island? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

The fiery scene that Palinor encounters, as he enters Ciudad, represents Palinor's fear of dying by fire, and his fate in hell that religious leaders believe awaits unrepentant heretics. Fire is the one connection that Palinor shares with his religious adversaries and the only thing Palinor seems to be afraid of.

1. Discuss the symbolism surrounding the scene when Palinor rides into Ciudad.

2. Discuss in detail what kind of man do you think Fra Murta is that he would have the people out on the streets with torches for Palinor to see.

3. Why is Palinor's fear of dying by fire reasonable?

Essay Topic 3

The abbess, like Beneditx, has lived a life cut off from the real world and doesn't encounter sins such as murder and bestiality. The murder was so uneventful to Amara, who grew up in world where killing was often frequent and necessary to eat, that she doesn't even remember why she murdered her sister.

1. Do you think someone like the abbess so cut off from reality is a good person to deal with Amara? Why or why not?

2. Why do you think the murder of her sister doesn't bother Amara?

3. Do you think Amara should be found guilty of murder? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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