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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. Whose limitless ambition drives Lindsay?

2. What rumor has spread about Lindsay?

3. Why is the Geisha Bank's attention guaranteed to Lindsay?

4. What is there good about a dead person?

5. What information does Lindsay find out about Nora?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the point of Carnaval and why do the pirates want the Shapers to join in?

2. What initially causes Lindsay not to trust the woman who is going to do his rejuvenation?

3. Why are the pirates jealous of the Shapers?

4. What is rumored about the people beyond the Wall?

5. What kinds of things does Kitsune never tell Lindsay?

6. Why is Lindsay so freaked out about fire?

7. Why does Lindsay feel secure in his incognito clothes?

8. What does Lindsay tell Nora that he would deny if she repeated?

9. Why is Lindsay hesitant to get a rejuvenation?

10. Why does the Alien's arrival signal the start of peace between the Mechanists and Shapers?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Lindsay's relationships throughout the novel. What is interesting to note about each of them? What relationship lasts the longest, in the course of the novel and in years elapsed? Why do you think that is?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the political system of the Schismatrix. How is this system in a state of constant flux? What does an individual have to do in order to maintain control? Who or what controls the system throughout most of the book? How is this evident?

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the novel, Lindsay changes his identity numerous times. What are some of the similarities in each of his characters? What are some of the main differences? How do these characters impact his personality? Explain your answer thoroughly.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 972 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample