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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 are the Vindications?

2. What shape are the rooms in the library of Babel?

3. In "Tlon, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius", what topic is the narrator discussing when the subject of the encyclopedia is brought up?

4. From what point of view is "The Garden of Forking Paths" written?

5. Which books often drive people to insanity?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why can't the inappropriate information in the library of Babel be destroyed?

2. In "The Circular Ruins," what revelation does the protagonist have about his own identity?

3. Who are the Purifiers?

4. According to the narrator, what is the most important theme of "The Approach of Al-Mu'tasim"?

5. What is discovered among the late Herbert Ashe's belongings?

6. Describe the second dream from "The Circular Ruins."

7. Describe Dr. Yu Tsun.

8. What inconsistencies exist in the writings of Herbert Quain?

9. Why does Dr. Yu Tsun murder Dr. Albert?

10. How does Dr. Yu Tsun arrive at Stephen Albert's house?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Borges use savants to express the themes of his work? What social implications does he draw from savant abilities? What are the positive and negative consequences that Borges associates with the growth of the human mind?

Essay Topic 2

How does Borges use the theme of betrayal in his work? According to Borges, what are the long- and short-term effects of betrayal? What lesson does Borges teach about betrayal through "The Form of the Sword"?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Borges' use of infinity. How does he use verbal imagery to describe the concept of infinity? What relationship does Borges' create between the infinite universe and the finite human mind? How does he use infinite images and descriptions to express his themes?

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