View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What haunts Beneditx?

2. What does Beneditx tell Palinor about his idea of nonbelievers?

3. Why is Palinor bound with cordeles and garrotes?

4. Why does Amara begin climbing the mountain?

5. Why is Palinor at the blacksmith's shop?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Rafal tell Severo and what does Severo do?

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

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

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

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

7. How does Severo feel about Fra Murta and why?

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

9. What does Eseranca say about Palinor?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Beneditx struggles through the night with anger. He remembers his mother, who was single and provided for her son by mending linen and making clothes. The only thing that made her angry was, when her sewing tools were blunt or her thread would break. Benedict feels like his arguments with Palinor have been like those blunt tools, and he is angry that he did not recognize the errors that Palinor has pointed out. Beneditx knows his sin is pride in his own intelligence, and he has never before experienced the pain of defeat.

1. Do you think Beneditx is angry at himself or at Palinor? Why or why not?

2. No one likes to think they are very good at a particular skill and then find that someone else is better. What do you think Beneditx should do with the way he is feeling?

3. Do you think it is wrong for Beneditx to have pride in his intelligence? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,309 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample