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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 does Maya find intriguing more than attractive?

2. Who is assigned to Phobos to transform the moon into a space station?

3. Why is the Ares group time limited outside on the surface of Mars?

4. Who argues the beauty of Mars only exists in the mind?

5. Frank point outs that _____ does not like Americans or Russians.

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Selim get angry after talking to Frank about John?

2. What do the Reds led by Ann believe?

3. What does Anna admit to Nadia about living in duality?

4. How is population size controlled within the GEM and how does it adapt to plant life?

5. When Maya talks to Michel about her love life problems, how does he respond?

6. Why are GEMS made by the scientists?

7. How is Maya described in Part 2?

8. Why does Nadia get furious when she sees the broken heating element?

9. What does Maya initially feel about John and Frank and their relationship?

10. Where is John's body found, and why can't Frank revive him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author uses more than one motif of religion. Identify at least two motifs about religion in the book. Then cite an example to support each answer.

Essay Topic 2

Love is a recurring theme in Red Mars. How does Maya's feelings about love change from the beginning of the novel to its end? In what ways has she expanded her awareness and beliefs? Is sexuality connected to love for Maya? How do her feelings for John develop and change and how does her relationship with him contrast with that of other men, such as Frank, that she has had romantic or an idealized relationship with?

Essay Topic 3

Through the main characters, Robinson offers a lens to view the government and corruption via the corporations and other groups. He describes some of the officials in Red Mars as self-serving. Describe the typical government/corporation worker in Red Mars. Do you think this is realistic and characteristic of today? Do you think the issues that Robinson discusses are still relevant today and if so, in what ways?

(see the answer keys)

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