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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. Who is fighting to gain the dead Emperor's title?

2. What disaster hits the Martius area that forces Gerold and Joan to go there in order to save the poor?

3. What medical condition does Joan learn she has after the flood?

4. Why does Joan refuse to run away with Gerold in Chapter 27?

5. Who denounced Lothar only to be proven a liar in order to be appointed Pope upon Pope Sergius' death?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Benedict abandon his brother and leave Rome?

2. To what office does Anastasius aspire? For what reason?

3. How does Pope Leo die? Who is elected to take his place?

4. Who does Gerold support in the battle between the dead Emperor's three sons?

5. Who arrests Benedict? What punishment does he suffer?

6. How does Joan prove Gerold innocent during his trial for treason?

7. Who is working behind the new Pope, Pope Sergius, in order to increase his own power?

8. What does Joan implement in order to help slow the spread of the plague during Church services?

9. Who is referred to as 'Little Pope' under Pope Leo? Why?

10. Why is Joan arrested? What is her punishment?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following themes, citing examples from the novel:

1. Oppression of women

2. Religion

3. Politics.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Joan's relationship with Gerold. How does Gerold feel about Joan? Would Gerold marry Joan even though she pretends to be a man? Why does Joan repeatedly refuse to run away with Gerold? Whose advice causes Joan to hesitate to be reliant on a man? Are Joan and Gerold lovers? When do they become lovers? How does this relationship threaten Joan's future as Pope? How does this romance ultimately lead to Joan's death and the revelation she is female?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following objects and their significance to the characters and plot development within the novel:

1. The hydraulic machine

2. St. Catherine medal

3. Joan's book by Homer.

(see the answer keys)

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