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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. Who will take over the duties of the Librarian?

2. Who is Adso supposed to follow in ‘Fifth Day’?

3. From whom does Adso learn the story of Dolcino?

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

5. What do the monks do about the noticeable aspect of Malachi’s body?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does William try to illustrate by talking about the river?

2. What is Benno mostly ignorant of?

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

4. How do William and Adso use their knowledge of the library in ‘Third Day’?

5. What is Benno scared of in ‘Sixth Day’?

6. What does William think about the relics?

7. What is the subject of Jorge’s sermon?

8. What are William and Adso searching for in the laboratory in ‘Fifth Day’?

9. Where were William’s eyeglasses in ‘Fourth Day’?

10. What are Salvatore and the Cellarer hiding in ‘Fourth Day’?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The physical buildings of the abbey are described in great detail, and shown to be resplendent. Eco even includes two maps of various structures. What literary significance do the buildings themselves have? How do they affect the story? Focus particularly on the library itself, as well as the ensuing fire.

Essay Topic 2

The book shows two inquisitors, Bernard Gui and William, though he is not acting in this official capacity. How do the two men differ in their approaches? What has William done in the past while conducting inquisitions? How might their methods be the same? Different?

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 448 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample