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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. Why does Supaari place Emilio with Hlavin?

2. What does Carlo do to Gina?

3. Who does Giuliani believe treats Sandoz unfairly?

4. How long has the new crew been training when Candotti visits Sandoz?

5. How long would it take for a ship to reach Rakhat?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Ljaat-sa Kitheri tell Supaari about his daughter and how does he feel about it?

2. What does Kanchay explain to Sofia about the original relationship of Runa and Jana'ata?

3. What does Hlavin claim about Supaari and what is the truth?

4. What does the Order do to Emilio about his resignation, what does he suggest to the mission team and what does Danny tell Emilio?

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

6. How do Hlavin and Ambassador Ma finally come together?

7. What are Frans' views on God and the human condition?

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

9. Who finds Sofia when Isaac is four and what does he say?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Oftentimes, a book is more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think A Fire Upon the Deep is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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