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 do philosophers keep that babies have and adults lose?

2. What is significant about the postmark of the postcard that is from the Major to Hilde?

3. Whose letter comes to Sophie's house?

4. Where do Sophie and Joanna camp?

5. What question does Sophie ask herself as she looks in the mirror after she reads her first note?

Short Essay Questions

1. What kind of teacher is Alberto? Why?

2. Why would Hermes growl at Sophie when she follows him? Is this characteristic of a dog? Why?

3. When Sophie sees another girl in mirror who winks back at her with both eyes, what does this foreshadow?

4. Sophie immediately thinks about the first question, "Who are you?" How does this indirectly characterize her?

5. How are Hilde and the Major connected to Sophie, as known by Chapter 13? Why?

6. Sophie recalls that time is different for the Major and HIlde, than for Sophie and Alberto. How would this exist?

7. Why does Sophie's mother handle her daughter's relationship with Alberto so calmly?

8. Epicureans believe in seeking pleasure and avoiding pain. Is this a theme of the novel? Why?

9. Why does Sophie decide to go into a stranger's cabin?

10. Why would Sophie's banana have a birthday greeting on the inside?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Often times, a novel's setting is crucial to the plot. Is that the case with "Sophie's World"? Could this story have taken place anywhere? Would all societies be open to learning about different philosophers? Examine if the setting plays a significant factor in the novel.

Essay Topic 2

Sophie immediately begins her Philosophy assignments. Is it odd for a young girl to do this extra work when she does not know who sends it to her? Why? How does this indicate from the beginning that the novel will be a mix of the ordinary and bizarre?

Essay Topic 3

The overlap of philosophy and religion in the book is a common debate in our culture. How great is the overlap in the book? Does Sophie react to this debate? Is her reaction realistic? Why?

1) Include at least three solid examples to explain how these topics overlap.

2) Comment on Sophie's reaction to this overlap. Is her reaction to the specific examples realistic?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 848 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample