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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 is unusual about Berengar’s body when it is examined?

2. What do William and Adso look for in Severinus’s chambers?

3. Why will the abbot not intervene for the condemned?

4. What did William do to Venantius’s parchment?

5. Why did Jorge want to protect the book from others?

Short Essay Questions

1. What has happened to the abbot in ‘Seventh Day’?

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

3. What is the position of the monk who dies in ‘Sixth Day’?

4. What is Benno mostly ignorant of?

5. What does Salvatore expect his story to inspire in Adso?

6. Who starts the fire at the abbey?

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

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

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

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

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 monks debate the role of women at great length. What are the different attitudes towards women? Does Adso agree with these views? Discuss his views in tandem with his encounter with the young girl in the kitchen.

Essay Topic 3

Eco begins the novel with a note set in the twentieth century. What effect does this have on our experience of the book? How can this relate to the story itself? What meta-fictional elements does it tie in, and why are these important?

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This section contains 494 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample