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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. Belbo and Casaubon interpret the computer's output to mean that Jesus fathered what line of kings?

2. Why doesn't Casaubon bring anyone with him to help Belbo?

3. According to the computer's output, where did Jesus marry Mary Magdalene?

4. Why does Casaubon choose to enter seemingly meaningless information into Abulafia?

5. When Casaubon shows Lia the parchment that started his involvement in the Plan, what does she think is written on it?

Short Essay Questions

1. Which cloaked individuals does Casaubon recognize?

2. According to Casaubon's group, what were some of the Jesuits' accomplishments?

3. What is set up by the cloaked individuals in the Conservatoire?

4. What was Napoleon's role in the Jesuit-Templar conflict?

5. What are Casaubon's speculations about Mr. Postel, in Chapter 88?

6. What does Lia try to explain to Casaubon, in Chapter 63?

7. According to Casaubon's theory about the Jesuits, who were the Rosicrucians and the Scottish Rite Freemasons?

8. What do Salon and Casaubon talk about when Casaubon visits Salon in his shop?

9. What story does Casaubon's group devise from Abulafia's output?

10. What happens to Diotallevi in Chapter 101?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Plan begins as a game, but eventually leads to the deaths of all four main characters. How does the Plan transform from a hobby, into a deadly reality? Why does Belbo begin to believe that the Plan is real? What message is the author trying to convey, via the deaths of these four characters? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the epistemological problem of truth. What is truth? Is it objective or subjective, and why? How does one know the truth when it is found? Why do Casaubon, Diotallevi and Belbo search so long for the truth? What is man's preoccupation with it? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

Anti-Semitic theories abound in the novel, as well as throughout history. Why are the Jews so commonly presented as villains in religious, historical and occult traditions and stories? How does Casaubon feel about them? What about Diotallevi? What role do they play in the Plan, and why? At what point do the characters' attitudes regarding the Jews' participation in the conspiracy change, and why? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

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