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Galileo's Daughter by Dava Sobel - Exam
Contributed by: Miah
  • 1. Galileo's Daughter by Dava Sobel is a captivating narrative that intertwines the life of the renowned astronomer Galileo Galilei with the heartfelt correspondence he maintained with his eldest daughter, Sister Maria Celeste, a cloistered nun in a convent in Florence. The book paints a vivid portrait of the tensions between Galileo’s revolutionary scientific discoveries and the oppressive dogmas of the Catholic Church during the Renaissance. Through Sobel's meticulous research and lyrical prose, readers gain intimate insights into their deep bond, characterized by their affectionate letters that reveal not only Maria Celeste's unwavering support for her father but also her own struggles and sacrifices within the confines of convent life. The juxtaposition of Galileo's groundbreaking work in astronomy and the personal turmoil of a father separated from his beloved daughter offers a poignant exploration of love, faith, and the pursuit of knowledge amidst the complexities of family and societal expectations. Sobel's narrative not only celebrates Galileo's legacy as the father of modern science but also pays tribute to Maria Celeste, whose voice and perspective illuminate the emotional landscape of one of history's most significant figures.

    Who is the author of 'Galileo's Daughter'?
A) Carl Sagan
B) Stephen Hawking
C) Dava Sobel
D) Isaac Newton
  • 2. What was Maria Celeste's vocation?
A) Nun
B) Scientist
C) Noblewoman
D) Artist
  • 3. What did Galileo famously advocate for?
A) Heliocentrism
B) Alchemy
C) Astrology
D) Geocentrism
  • 4. Which institution condemned Galileo's teachings?
A) The Catholic Church
B) The Royal Society
C) The Protestant Church
D) The University of Padua
  • 5. What did Galileo use to study celestial bodies?
A) A sextant
B) A microscope
C) A telescope
D) An astrolabe
  • 6. Which planet's moons did Galileo discover?
A) Venus
B) Mars
C) Jupiter
D) Saturn
  • 7. What was the name of Galileo's book that defended heliocentrism?
A) Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems
B) Principia Mathematica
C) The Almagest
D) Starry Messenger
  • 8. How did Galileo's daughter, Maria Celeste, primarily communicate with him?
A) Through intermediaries
B) Letters
C) In person
D) By messenger pigeons
  • 9. What religious order was Maria Celeste a member of?
A) Order of St. Francis.
B) Order of Dominicans.
C) Order of St. Benedict.
D) Order of Poor Clares.
  • 10. What year did Galileo die?
A) 1642
B) 1620
C) 1632
D) 1650
  • 11. In which Italian city was Galileo born?
A) Florence
B) Pisa
C) Rome
D) Venice
  • 12. In what year was Galileo born?
A) 1564
B) 1534
C) 1642
D) 1471
  • 13. What is the main literary form of 'Galileo's Daughter'?
A) Biography
B) Poetry
C) Novel
D) History
  • 14. What personal challenges did Galileo face?
A) Conflict with the church
B) Isolation
C) Illness
D) Poverty
  • 15. What aspect of science did Galileo contribute to?
A) Mathematics and engineering
B) Physics and astronomy
C) Medicine and astrology
D) Biology and chemistry
  • 16. What theme does 'Galileo's Daughter' prominently explore?
A) The life of a scientist
B) The politics of Renaissance Italy
C) The struggle of science against religion
D) The bond between father and daughter
  • 17. What was Galileo's nationality?
A) Spanish
B) French
C) Dutch
D) Italian
  • 18. What was the fate of Galileo at the end of his life?
A) He fled to France
B) He was placed under house arrest
C) He was executed
D) He became a hermit
  • 19. What was one scientific method Galileo is known for developing?
A) Philosophical dialogue
B) Observation and experimentation
C) Theoretical mathematics
D) Alchemical transmutation
  • 20. In what year was 'Galileo's Daughter' published?
A) 2001.
B) 1995.
C) 2000.
D) 1999.
  • 21. What was Maria Celeste’s original name?
A) Isabella
B) Virginia
C) Claudia
D) Livia
  • 22. Who is Galileo's daughter?
A) Elena.
B) Vittoria.
C) Livia.
D) Maria Celeste.
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