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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. Where is Arcadia hiding in 10-12?

2. What form of message does Homir receive from Dr. Darell?

3. In 13-15 why does Homir worry about his newly granted access to the Mule's palace?

4. Who is Stettin's mistress?

5. How does Arcadia tell Palver her secret message?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Arcadia escape from being discovered after she is announced as a wanted fugitive?

2. Why is Dr. Darell caught in a no-win situation in 16-18?

3. Why does Dr. Darell think that his daughter is dead?

4. Why is the Imperial Library an important place to Arcadia?

5. Why does Dr. Darrell consider the Second Foundation an enemy? What made him realize this?

6. How does Arcadia convince Palver to go to the Foundation and deliver a message for her?

7. What two orders does Stettin send out after Callia manipulates him into thinking he has a chance to start an empire?

8. What does Callia do for Arcadia in her private chamber? What does Arcadia see as Callia flees the room?

9. What secret does Anthor reveal about the Lieutenant Dirige to Dr. Darell?

10. What is appealing to Stettin about Arcadia's heritage? What does Stettin want Arcadia to become for him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

By the end of the novel many preconceptions of the plot are turned around in revelations presented by the author. Respond to the following with supporting evidence from the book:

1) What is Asimov's purpose in having so many twist endings?

2) How does the twist ending of the downfall of the Mule differ from the ending of the book as a whole?

3) How do the twist endings serve to screen the inevitable triumph of the Second Foundation in the plot of the book?

Essay Topic 2

With family members, political rulers and even one's own mind being controlled by powerful forces, paranoia plays a powerful role in the novel. Respond to the following with supporting details from "Second Foundation."

1) In what ways does the character of Pritcher exhibit extreme paranoia?

2) What are the reasons that the characters in the book are paranoid? Does the author validate these reasons by the end of the novel?

3) How does the author use a reader's real life concern about mind control to underscore the paranoia in the book?

Essay Topic 3

The writing technique of foreshadowing event is employed by Asimov throughout the novel. Please respond to the following with supporting examples:

1) How does Asimov foreshadow Channis' betrayal?

2) What clues does the author give about the discord that Dr. Darell and his colleagues experience in their second meeting? How does their first meeting foreshadow this conflict?

3) What is the purpose of foreshadowing in the novel? Does it provide a bigger surprise when events turn out in a different way?

(see the answer keys)

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