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"Anathem" by Neal Stephenson Trivia Quiz

This 2008 novel blended aspects of epic fantasy and science fiction. (Warning: spoilers.) Hope you enjoy this quiz. Thanks.

A multiple-choice quiz by neon000. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
neon000

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
298,349

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
135

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. On what planet is the novel set? Hint

Endor

Mars

Arbre

Earth

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Question 2 of 10

2. Erasmas lives in a facility which bears some resemblance to medieval universities or monasteries. What is it called? Hint

Department

Concent

Prison

Yurt

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Question 3 of 10

3. Erasmas' teacher is a man named Orolo. One day, Orolo notices a shocking fact. What is this? Hint

Someone stole from the treasury

Alien ships are circling the planet

Someone abandoned a baby

All the animals on the grounds are dead

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Question 4 of 10

4. Once Orolo is found out, he is subject to 'anathem.' What is this? Hint

He is not allowed to eat for ten days

A rite of banishment

A monetary fine and house arrest

He is placed in the stocks, and people throw things at him

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Question 5 of 10

5. Erasmus and some of his colleagues are made to leave the facility. What are they told to do? Hint

Travel to Saunt Tredegarh

Boil water before drinking it

Spend a week camping out

Clean up the outside of the building

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Question 6 of 10

6. Erasmus meets a man named Jad. What does this person tell Erasmus to do? Hint

Tend to a flock of carrier pigeons

Bathe more often

Look for his teacher, Orolo

Don't eat things from the garden

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Question 7 of 10

7. Erasmus sets out for the settlement of Orithena. He arrives safely; however, his visit will not be a placid one. What happens after he gets there? Hint

He is put on the kitchen clean-up crew

The crops fail

An alien ship lands there

The concent leaders tell him he has a bad reputation

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Question 8 of 10

8. The strange visitors are called Geometers. Why is this? Hint

They carry slide rules everywhere

They ask a lot of questions, like curious students

They are here to write a textbook

There is an equation on the side of their ship

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Question 9 of 10

9. The Geometers are not pleased at the loss of the landing craft. What do they do in retaliation? Hint

Fire a metal projectile into a volcano

Shut down the water supply

Launch tear gas on the concent

Stage a riot and take over the police station

10. There is a massive battle between the Geometers and the avout. "Anathem" is complex and refers to a number of alternate realities. One of the following is mentioned in the book. Which is it? Hint

Erasmus dies from an illness

Erasmus becomes a coward and runs away

Erasmus lives, and reunites with Ala

Erasmus is taken prisoner

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. On what planet is the novel set?

Answer: Arbre

Arbre is temperate and inhabited by humans. The main character in this story is a man named Erasmas.

2. Erasmas lives in a facility which bears some resemblance to medieval universities or monasteries. What is it called?

Answer: Concent

The men in concents are called fraas and the women are called suurs. They carry out routines of everything from menial labor, to performing music and chants.

3. Erasmas' teacher is a man named Orolo. One day, Orolo notices a shocking fact. What is this?

Answer: Alien ships are circling the planet

Orolo enlisted the help of Erasmas in cataloging his findings. The Saecular Powers, who are from outside the concent, are trying to cover up the aliens' existence.

4. Once Orolo is found out, he is subject to 'anathem.' What is this?

Answer: A rite of banishment

The ritual is very stern, and Erasmus finds it frightening. He will no longer be able to see his friend. However, he does not lose his curiosity for what goes on outside the concent.

5. Erasmus and some of his colleagues are made to leave the facility. What are they told to do?

Answer: Travel to Saunt Tredegarh

Saunt Tredegarh is another concent. This will take a considerable journey-- the locale is on a different continent.

6. Erasmus meets a man named Jad. What does this person tell Erasmus to do?

Answer: Look for his teacher, Orolo

Jad says that Orolo is still alive and well. If Erasmus finds him, Jad says, Orolo can share much information about the aliens.

7. Erasmus sets out for the settlement of Orithena. He arrives safely; however, his visit will not be a placid one. What happens after he gets there?

Answer: An alien ship lands there

This shock is soon followed by another. One of the aliens has died, but she was carrying blood samples from her fellow creatures. Orolo is determined to recover the vials, so he can learn more about the aliens' biological nature.

8. The strange visitors are called Geometers. Why is this?

Answer: There is an equation on the side of their ship

There is a proof of Pythagoras' Theorem written on their craft. In the book, it is referred to as Adrakhones' Theorem.

9. The Geometers are not pleased at the loss of the landing craft. What do they do in retaliation?

Answer: Fire a metal projectile into a volcano

This detonates and burns the Orithena concent. The avouts who escaped begin training in preparation for an attack on the Geometer ship Daban Umud.

10. There is a massive battle between the Geometers and the avout. "Anathem" is complex and refers to a number of alternate realities. One of the following is mentioned in the book. Which is it?

Answer: Erasmus lives, and reunites with Ala

There is a truce of sorts, after the end of the battle, which is commemorated by a massive singing service. Erasmus also reunites with Ala.

Source: Author neon000

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