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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. In what form is the monastery constructed?

2. Who provides the key to entering the library in ‘Second Day’?

3. Why has William come to the monastery?

4. What is missing from Venantius’s desk in ‘Second Day’?

5. Where is Adso from originally?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did the narrator originally lose his copy of the book?

2. What do the monks debate at the first dinner?

3. Who does William already know at the abbey in ‘First Day’?

4. Who is the Pope at the time of the events in the novel?

5. How did Venantius die?

6. Who originally translated the book?

7. What is William fascinated by?

8. What does Benno reveal about Adelmo?

9. Why is Jorge so unnerving?

10. Who, in ‘Second Day,’ reveals that the library is a labyrinth?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The novel makes reference to various heretical sects, which – indeed – several key characters have belonged to. What is the importance of these sects? How does William treat them? How does he explain them to Adso, and what are Adso’s musings on their significance?

Essay Topic 2

William is fascinated by machines and makes particular reference to some new inventions. What inventions does he mention? How does he treat them? What are the other monks’ reactions to these inventions? What is their greater, symbolic significance for the text?

Essay Topic 3

Many people are suspected of murder in the book – and many of these suspects die. Compare and contrast the possible murderers and theories that the story presents, and describe the ultimate outcome, as well as Jorge’s professed motives.

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This section contains 400 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample