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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 disapproves of the new Pope's progressive thinking?

2. About what people is Anastasius writing a book dealing with their history?

3. What magical event takes place when Lothar reaches Rome?

4. What is the purpose of the large procession Joan participates in in Chapter 29?

5. Why is Joan released from the dungeon?

Short Essay Questions

1. What miracle does Joan create in order to stop the fighting between Pope Sergius and Lothar?

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

3. Why does Joan finally agree to run away with Gerold?

4. What does Joan encourage Pope Sergius to do that makes Benedict unhappy?

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

6. Why is Cardinal Leo elected Pope over Anastasius?

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

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

9. What causes Joan's death?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the political atmosphere in the time after the death of the Emperor. Who is to take over the government after the Emperor's death? Why is there a dispute over the Emperor's position? Which side does Gerold choose? What happens during the battle? How does this battle reflect the chaos common to this time period? Who will eventually rise to power after this battle? How will that affect the lives of the characters in this novel?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the historical implications of this novel. What evidence does the author give that her novel is based on fact? What does history say about the possibility of a female Pope? Does the author make a good argument for the historical fact of her story? Explain. Why does history say it is unlikely a woman was ever Pope? Would it have been possible for a woman to live as a man? Are there other examples of women who pretended to be men in history? Name a few. Compare and contrast Pope Joan with another famous woman who lived as a man.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Joan's attempts to heal and prevent spread of disease during her time at the monastery. How does Joan heal a woman thought to have leprosy? What is the woman's true illness? How does Joan heal this illness? What reaction does Joan get from the other monks when the woman is healed? How does Joan attempt to slow the progression of the plague during mass? Does this stop the spread? Do other priests adopt this same practice? How do church officials reward Joan for these actions?

(see the answer keys)

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