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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. Who is Vincenzo Giuliani?

2. Who are the Runa?

3. How does Supaari break tradition?

4. For what is Emilio using voice recognition software?

5. What helps Sofia accept her fate without emotion?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what capacity is John assigned to the Rakhat mission and what does he tell Emilio about the crew?

2. How does Hlavin's brothers feel about his singing and what does Hlavin do to his family? What is the result of Hlavin's actions?

3. How is Emilio studying radio data from Rakhat and what is he doing with his own life?

4. What does Danny say about Emilio's presence on Bruno? What is Emilio's response?

5. What does Sofia do when she locates the Magellan's lander and how do the Runa plan to aid her?

6. What does Sofia do at first when she is stuck on Rakhat, how does that activity change and what happens with Emilio that she doesn't know?

7. What does Supaari do about his daughter when he leaves his mother's house?

8. Why does Supaari go to see his mother and what is her response to that visit?

9. What does Edward Behr remind Emilio of and what does he tell Vincenzo in the prelude?

10. What does Sofia do with Magellan and what does she plan to do if it doesn't work out?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as CHILDREN OF GOD help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading CHILDREN OF GOD? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in CHILDREN OF GOD to discuss and compare Emilio's response to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of manipulation and power in CHILDREN OF GOD. 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 CHILDREN OF GOD. 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 thousands 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 Rakhat, does it have a greater impact? How do the Jana'ata civilization seem to view death? What about the Runa?

Essay Topic 3

CHILDREN OF GOD is written in the genre of science fiction. Discuss the following:

1. What sets science fiction apart from other genres? Discuss several characteristics of science fiction that are absent in other genres and vice versa.

2. Some people might say that science fiction is merely for entertainment? Do you agree? Explain.

3. Discuss why CHILDREN OF GOD falls under the genre of science fiction.

4. Why do you think literary criticism breaks down fiction into genres? Do you think the labeling of genre to a work is useful to a reader? Why or why not.

(see the answer keys)

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