View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Galileo ask the men to trust when looking through the telescope at the stars?

2. What bell rings as Virginia entered her father's room? (Scene III)

3. Where does Galileo place the Ptolemaic system for Andrea to find?

4. At the ball, what mask does Cardinal Bellarmin wear? (Scene VI)

5. What does Sarti hand to Galileo while he was telling her about the new discoveries in science?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Galileo say fueled his desire to discover new philosophies?

2. Why does Galileo believe that naming the new stars by the name Medici would allow him some leeway on his studies?

3. Why is Andrea's mother, Sarti, worried about Galileo teaching Andrea about the revolving of the Earth around the sun?

4. Why does the Inquisitor find it funny that Virginia knew nothing of her father's studies?

5. When Andrea questions Galileo about the Ptolemaic system model, what is Galileo's answer?

6. What does Virginia find out about her father's fame on the day of the party at Cardinal Bellarmin's?

7. Why is the Curator angry with Galileo after Galileo received his raise from the University with the Curator's help?

8. Why does Galileo say the sailing of ships across the sea creates "a great desire has arisen to fathom the causes of all thing[s]"?

9. Why does Ludovico seem upset with Galileo at the end of Scene II?

10. Describe the Ptolemaic system model that Galileo shows to Andrea.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ludovico told Galileo about the telescope first being invented in Holland. Galileo then created a replica of his own, based off of Ludovico's description, and presented it to the University as his own. What did this do to the relationship between Galileo and Ludovico? What did this tell Ludovico about Galileo's character and scientific honesty? Why did Ludovico not turn Galileo in for misrepresentation?

Essay Topic 2

Character Analysis: Discuss Galileo as a character. What kind of character was Galileo? Use textual evidence to support each of the three character traits that you align with Galileo.

Essay Topic 3

The truth of science and the truth of religion are conflicted throughout the play. Discuss the following: 1) Why was the truth of religion weighed heavier than the truth of science? 2) How did new thought challenge the church? 3) How did the Church have so much clout in determining its power over new thought related to science?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,030 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample