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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. How did the Chinese people respond to Ricci's mnemonic abilities?

2. In the 16th century, which Chinese religions had Trinitarian aspects?

3. Who ruled China from 1573 to 1620, almost the entire time Ricci was there?

4. During the Renaissance, what was the focus of concern by the Jesuit missionaries in India?

5. How long did Christopher Plantin take to write his Bible, the pinnacle of the Counter-Reformation, in the 16th century?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Ricci use Chinese ideograph did Ricci use for his first image?

2. Describe the training of Matteo Ricci before he arrived in China.

3. What were conditions in Ricci's home city of Macerata when he was a young boy?

4. What experiences led to Ricci's skill in drawing maps?

5. About what did Ricci's Chinese Christian converts complain?

6. How and why did Ricci display his spirit of ecumenism in China?

7. According to "Chapter One: Building the Palace", what was the size of the Memory Palace that Matteo Ricci used to teach the Chinese people?

8. Does the author know with certainty where Ricci picked up the idea of mnemonic devices?

9. Describe the map that Ricci has printed in 1602.

10. What was the new version of the story associated with the first picture "The Apostle in the Waves" that Ricci gave Cheng Dayue?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Sexual immorality caused Ricci great concern. Discuss the ways in which both the Jesuits and the Chinese challenged Ricci's view of sexual morality and the ways he chose to combat it.

Essay Topic 2

The Chinese practiced three major religions: Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism. In his efforts to Christianize the Chinese, Ricci uses the beliefs from these three religions to show the similarities to his Catholicism. Explain the basics of all four religions and discuss their similarities and differences to each other.

Essay Topic 3

The use of mnemonic devices has a long history, including the Greeks using mnemonics to memorize poetry. Trace the history of mnemonic devices throughout history, including modern use today. What are its advantages and disadvantages? Who uses these techniques today? What does scientific research prove about its value?

(see the answer keys)

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