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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 reason does Acadia give for Anthor to behave when they first meet?

2. Pritcher and Channis are searching for a world that is described how?

3. As recounted in 1-3, who almost told the Mule the location of the Second Foundation five years before?

4. Who is the first character introduced in 7-9?

5. How does Pritcher remember his past as described in 1-3?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the history of Han Pritcher and how does this character remember his past?

2. What reasons does the Mule give for believing that the Second Foundation was not on Tazenda judging by Channis' reactions?

3. During the confrontation on Rossem, in what trap does Channis catch the Mule?

4. Why does Dr. Darell scold Arcadia when he enters her room at the beginning of 7-9?

5. What is the Mule's motivations for finding the Second Foundation? How close has he come to this discovery?

6. What factors contribute to Channis' popularity on Kaglan?

7. Toward the end of 1-3, what does the technician find in the ship and what is Channis' response?

8. In 4-6, why is Pritchard so sure that nothing has tampered with him mind?

9. How does Channis describe the planet that is likely to be home to the Second Foundation?

10. In 7-9, what reasons does Arcadia give that she has knowledge that her father is expecting a visitor?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Second Foundation is a powerful yet hidden organization that the title of the book is derived from. Please respond to the following with supporting examples from the novel:

1) How does the author represent the magnitude of influence the Second Foundation has on the galaxy?

2) Why does the Second Foundation's status of hidden and secret add to its power and influence?

3) Is the Second Foundation represented as good or bad force? Why?

Essay Topic 2

It is difficult to define a standout hero or villain in "Second Foundation" because the author does not present such a figure to the reader. Please respond to the following with supporting evidence from the story:

1) What character is the most like a hero in the story? What happens at the end of the novel to make the reader think otherwise?

2) The Mule is presented to be a villain. His motivation to further the Seldon Plan is one of the few representations of a valid motive in the story. What is the author saying about societies' views on misunderstanding other people?

3) How is the Second Foundation simultaneously represented as a protagonist and antagonist in the book?

Essay Topic 3

Arcadia Darell plays a pivotal role in the events of the novel, yet she is only a 14 year old girl. Please respond to the following with support from "Second Foundation."

1) What attributes does Asimov give Arcadia that represent adolescence in a positive way?

2) What attributes does Asimov give Arcadia that represent adolescence in a negative way?

3) What is Asimov saying about the ability of teenagers to influence society and their community as illustrated in the novel?

(see the answer keys)

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