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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. Why does Sophie laugh at the Emperor?

2. When is Hilde's dad supposed to arrive home?

3. What is Darwin's theory that is included in "the Origin of the Species"?

4. What is the role of a philosopher, according to Hegel?

5. Where does Hilde discover her father will be when she seeks revenge?

Short Essay Questions

1. Are Hilde's plans for her father well designed? Why?

2. Kierkegaard coined the slogan, "Question Authority." Write about two instances where you have seen this slogan used in our culture.

3. What is the author's tone toward Sophie and her mother in the Berkley chapter? Why?

4. Was it odd when Sophie met Alice in Wonderland and Winnie the Pooh? Why or why not?

5. Freud analyzes dreams. What sort of dreams do people analyze today? Why would people want to analyze their dreams?

6. Why does Hilde get angry when her father orders her to finish the book before his return?

7. Why does Sophie become shocked when she sees "Sophie's World" on a bookshelf?

8. Why do the Ingebrightsens become upset with Alberto's speech?

9. Do you agree with Hegel that philosophers should be mirrors that reflect ideas of their time? Why?

10. How does Hilde regard Sophie in the Bjerkely chapter? Why does she feel this way?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Look at the chapter titles. The first title is "The Garden of Eden." Why would Gaarder begin his novel this way? Some of the titles are simplistic, such as the names of philosophers. Others have more meaning. Analyze these titles and relate them to the deeper meaning presented in the corresponding chapter.

Essay Topic 2

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 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)

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