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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. What is the landscape religion called?

2. What is the group that supports terraforming?

3. Whom does Frank accuse of trying to block him from the treaty rewrite?

4. What is a suicide gene?

5. Who is attracted to the landscape religion and its society because it allows people to thrive and participate in it?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why are GEMS made by the scientists?

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

3. How does Nadia recognize that their technology is advanced and causes changes to Mars?

4. Why do people like Michel fail to do well on Mars, according to his theory?

5. When Michel is disturbed by a dark skinned man, what ends up happening to him that leaves him naked?

6. How does terraforming create two opposing groups at Ares?

7. How does Nadia lose her finger?

8. How is Nadia described in Part 3 as a problem solver?

9. Why is Nadia uncomfortable talking to Maya and what makes her long to escape the group?

10. How is Maya described in Part 2?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Red Mars is a classic science fiction novel. What does that classification entail? Why does this novel fit into this category?

Essay Topic 2

Robinson uses more the theme of disappointment. Identify at least two characters who either embody or experience disappointment then cite an example to support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 756 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample