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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. How many knives does the Sandwich Maker use?

2. What does Trillian think of the sandwich?

3. Why is it difficult to tell Random's age?

4. What do the Grebulons generally do on long spaceflights?

5. Where does Old Thrashbarg say the Perfectly Normal Beasts come from?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Ford suggest getting off Arthur's new home planet?

2. Why is Ford worried about the new Guide?

3. Why is Tricia upset by the video footage she has brought back from her trip into space?

4. Describe how the Sandwich Maker makes a sandwich.

5. What does Tricia learn when she calls her television station from the editing booth?

6. Describe the monument that marks the location where the species Vogon Vogonblurtus first appeared.

7. How does Ford react when he first sees a pikka bird?

8. How does Arthur use Ford's towel to attract a Perfectly Normal Beast?

9. What is odd about the Perfectly Normal Beast?

10. What do Ford and Arthur talk about as they ride the Perfectly Normal Beast away?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Arthur and Ford are literary foils. Compare their characters and roles in the novel.

1) How do Ford and Arthur react differently to change and risk? How do they understand and respond to the universe differently?

2) What do Ford and Arthur value? How are their points of view different, and how does this relate to their identity? How does it affect their actions and choices?

3) Why does the author use two characters who are opposites? How does it affect the story and the reader?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss happiness in the novel.

1) What creates happiness in the novel? Are the factors that contribute to happiness internal or external?

2) How do personality and identity contribute to happiness in the novel?

3) What is the relationship between happiness and belonging in the novel?

Essay Topic 3

The novel is science fiction and extensively uses science ideas and concepts. Discuss the role of science in the novel.

1) What scientific concepts does the author use in the novel? What types of scientific ideas does he emphasize?

2) What is the author's view of science? How is science positive and negative? How do the characters view science and technology?

3) How does the novel fit into the science fiction genre?

(see the answer keys)

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