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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 does Scriber wonder about Johanna?
2. What does Steel's best eightsome show?
3. How old is Woodcarver?
4. What does the crew get past Johanna?
5. How many boats does Tyrathect's group scuttle?
Short Essay Questions
1. Why does Pham distrust Steel?
2. What is Jefri doing during Woodcarver's army's attack?
3. How is the curse of the Pharoah's tomb related to what the humans from the Straumli Realm are doing on Earth?
4. Describe Pham and Bluestalk's descent to the planet surface and their attack and why they suddenly stop attacking with their beam?
5. Describe the beings that attack the Olsndots.
6. What do Peregrine Wickwrackrum and Scriber Jaqueramaphan observe and how do they describe the Olsndot's ship?
7. Describe Arne and Sjane Olsndot and what happens to them.
8. How are Peregrine and Scriber received in the Woodcarver's Domain and what happens to Johanna when she arrives with them?
9. About what is Tyrathect concerned and can she do anything about it?
10. What are the Olsndots' priorities after landing?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Steel admires the workmanship of the unburned coffins where the children are in suspended animation, but he recoils at the thought that the pups in suspended animation could mature and destroy his world--and that other ships might follow. Discuss the following:
1. Does Steel have legitimate concerns about the possible problems a ship from space could bring?
2. Is attacking the occupants of the ship the wisest course? What other actions might Steel have taken instead of attack? Would one of them have been more advisable?
3. How do you think Steel might have fared in the long run had he made friends with the Olnsdots rather than killing them?
4. Why does Steel leave Jefri alive? Is there any compassion at all to his decision?
Essay Topic 2
Discuss one of the following:
1. Trace and analyze the theme of manipulation and power in A Fire Upon the Deep. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with manipulation and power? Why? What are some symbols of manipulation and power? Symbols of powerlessness? What characters seem powerless?
2. Trace and analyze the theme of genocide in A Fire Upon the Deep. Which characters seem to accept that genocide is sometimes necessary? Why? Which characters seem opposed to genocide no matter what? Why? Which ones seem not to care one way or the other?
3. Trace and analyze the theme of death. Death happens on a scale that is almost incomprehensible with billions of sentient beings being wiped out of existence. Does this inure a reader to the impact of death? When death is brought to a more individual level, such as in the world where the Olnsdots land, does it have a greater impact? How do the Tines' civilization seem to view death? What is different about the death of some of the Tine's packs? Do you think the way the Tines live in packs makes death easier or more difficult to bear?
Essay Topic 3
There are a number of interesting questions raised by this book. Questions that most likely Vinge wanted the readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:
1. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the author's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Vinge's probable agenda concerning that idea.
2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?
3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?
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This section contains 1,255 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) |
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