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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. Olaus Wormius is written in which language?

2. What was the name of the religious sect?

3. According to the narrator's friend the nature of time is composed of _____ and angles.

4. What famous book is mentioned in the story?

5. What is the name of the main character in the The Call of Cthulhu?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the narrator see during his night by the Black Stone?

2. What is the first passage translated from Arabic into English? What is Ogden's opinion of the passage?

3. What book is Carnby asked to translate? Why is the book different from the other versions? What passages interest Carnby the most?

4. What difficulties does the narrator have in learning more about the Black Stone and Stregoicavar?

5. What happens to Paul Tregardis when he stares into the crystal?

6. The opening quote in the story is written by Justin Geoffrey. Who is Justin Geoffrey and how does he relate to the story?

7. Frank watches as Chalmers goes into a trance-like state. Chalmers reveals to Frank everything he sees in the Fourth Dimension. What are some of the things Chalmers sees?

8. Discuss the contents of the documents found by Thurston. Describe the strange reaction people have had by coming in contact with the statue.

9. The narrator found mention of the Black Stone in Von Junzt's work. What did Von Junzt write about the obelisk?

10. How did Angell first come into contact with the statue? Who had approached Angell and for what purpose? What information was given to the statue's owner?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Tales of the Cthulhu Mythos" by H. P. Lovecraft is a collection of horror stories written by Lovecraft, his associates and fans. Discuss the common threads used in the stories. Do you think the similarities are planned or accidental? How is the theme of the Cthulhu continued throughout the book? What influence did Lovecraft have on the genre? Who was the most successful writer in the book aside from Lovecraft?

Essay Topic 2

Several of the texts, including the Necronomicon and De Vermis Mysteriis, are written in Arabic. Some also include Greek and Latin phrases, sections or entire versions. The ones seeking the ancient forbidden texts are often hindered by the inability to read the language. In the case of "The Return of the Sorcerer," John Carnby hires Ogden as a translator for the texts. Discuss the translation. Do you think that Ogden is capable of translating the text in its entirety? How might the texts pose a problem for a translator? What if one or more passages are translated incorrectly? What happens when a translator reads passages aloud? What if the words are taken out of context or have dual meanings? What happens to each character involved in the translation?

Essay Topic 3

Sorcerers are said to be very powerful people with a gift and knowledge of magic. The sorcerer's spells and rites are highly secretive and therefore sought by many. Discuss sorcerers. Do sorcerers exist? If so, where? How do they work? What types of powers might be used by a sorcerer? Are sorcerers evil? Are the secrets often passed down? Are sorcerers different than witches? Explain.

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