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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. What distinction does Adso struggle with in ‘Seventh Day’?

2. Why can’t William save the person he tries to in ‘Seventh Day’?

3. What does the abbot tell William in ‘Sixth Day’?

4. What does Adso draw in ‘Third Day’?

5. What does Adso do after his encounter in the kitchen?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who left in ‘Sixth Day’ knows the secrets of the library?

2. What might be ‘dangerous’ about the book’s form?

3. In ‘Fourth Day,’ what poison might have been used on the dead monks?

4. If William does not solve the crime, who will?

5. What is William’s response to the fire?

6. Who does Bernard Gui (Bernardo Guido) accuse of the murders in ‘Fourth Day’?

7. How does William protect himself from the book in ‘Seventh Day’?

8. What signs are there that Berengar is in trouble in ‘Third Day’?

9. How does William think the lepers have been used?

10. What might be ‘dangerous’ about the book’s contents?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast the Dominican order with the Franciscan order. What different beliefs do the two orders espouse? What might they have in common? What political causes might be linked to the different orders?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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?

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