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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 do Jack, Daniel, and Sir Isaac negotiate?

2. What do Daniel and Colonel Barnes think affects Leibniz and Sir Isaac's relationship?

3. What is the subject of the main feud between Newton and Leibniz?

4. Who is Daniel surprised to see on board a Russian naval vessel with Peter the Great?

5. Who holds Sir Isaac accountable for the events at the English Mint on April 23, 1714?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Ravenscar declare to the mob, and what does Daniel think of this?

2. Detail some of the characters' actions and thinking in Book 6, Chapters 21-24 that leads them to make a mistake.

3. Compare and contrast Princess Caroline to her grandmother, Sophie.

4. Who is John Doe and how do his actions affect Daniel?

5. What is the state of the English economy and coinage, according to Sir Isaac Newton, when Daniel comes to visit him?

6. Based on Sir Isaac and Daniel's debate about the Russians and the French, who do you think is more likely to be responsible for sabotage?

7. Why does Dappa willingly allow himself to be apprehended?

8. How does Daniel attempt to gain additional financial support for his research and inventions, and is he successful?

9. What does the assassination attempt make Caroline realize about herself and the state of England?

10. How do Sir Isaac and Daniel respond to Partry's confession?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Daniel and Sir Isaac's time, patenting laws and intellectual property rights did not exist to protect inventors and natural philosophers. What problems do the characters run into with the threat of someone stealing their ideas, and how do they protect themselves? How do you think these disputes would be settled if they occurred today?

Essay Topic 2

Examine the ways Stephenson gives Jack the coinier consistent character and voice throughout the book and compare this with Partry's existence in the book. Were there clues to Partry's identity, or is his revelation a complete shock to the reader?

Essay Topic 3

Each new member of the Clubb introduces a new mission and/or skill. Compare and contrast the Clubb at its first meeting to its subsequent gatherings in the book and evaluate how effective the Clubb is as a whole with specific examples from the text.

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