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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. In what city does Chapter 2 begin?

2. Where is the alien ship located in Chapter 5?

3. Against what country do the invaders take direct action?

4. What will happen on Earth while Jan Rodricks travels to the alien planet?

5. In what year does Chapter 1 take place?

Short Essay Questions

1. List at least two facts about each of Jan Rodricks' parents. How have his parents influenced who he is?

2. What does Jan Rodricks ask Professor Sullivan to help him do, and what is Sullivan's response?

3. Who is Pierre Duval, and what is his significance in the story?

4. What is Karellen's philosophy about world order that he shares with Rikki Stormgren?

5. What game does Rupert Boyce play with his remaining guests, and why?

6. What does Jan Rodricks learn from his research in star catalogs, and what is the significance of his discovery?

7. What is the relationship between Reinhold Hoffmann and the Russian scientist Konrad Schneider?

8. What group kidnaps Rikki Stormgren, and for what reason?

9. Why are the journalists and spectators waiting in anticipation at the beginning of Chapter 5?

10. Why does Karellen want two children to come inside the ship with him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Earth, as the characters in the novel know it, ends. In the story arc, identify when the end of mankind becomes inevitable. Discuss whether or not the novel could have ended any other way. Are George Greggson, Jean Morrel, and Jan Rodricks tragic figures, or are they heroes? Defend your answer. If Clarke had asked you to title his novel, would you have chosen "Childhood's End" or "Childhood's Beginning"? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 2

The supernatural seems to intrude on the natural during the seance held at Rupert Boyce's home. While "Childhood's End" is a work of science fiction, identify two or three events that might seem better suited to a work of fantasy or supernatural fiction. Why did Clarke interject these events into what most would consider "hard" science fiction? Discuss whether Clarke using this fictional convention helps or hinders the overall theme of the book.

Essay Topic 3

Karellen reveals himself in Chapter 5. He invites two children to join him on board his ship before he exits. Consider whether or not children have an inherent fear of the same things adults find frightening, or if fear is a learned response. Discuss the differences between what is frightening to a child and what is frightening to an adult. Describe Karellen's rationale in revealing himself in the fashion he does, based on what he has discerned about human nature.

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