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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. For how long had the Red Union "been attacking the headquarters of the April Twenty-eighth Brigade" when Chapter 1, "The Madness Years" begins?

2. Who is described as Ye Wenjie's astrophysics professor at her alma mater in Chapter 14, "Red Coast IV"?

3. How old was the girl that is described as being gunned down while waving a flag in Chapter 1, "The Madness Years"?

4. Who beats Ye Zhetai to death in Chapter 1, "The Madness Years"?

5. Who is the director of the Division Political Department that interviews Ye Wenjie in Chapter 2, "Silent Spring"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the "microwave background" and how is it described in Chapter 9, "The Universe Flickers"?

2. Why does Ye Wenjie arrange for Wang to meet Sha Ruishan in Chapter 8, “Ye Wenjie”?

3. What happens when the Stable Era begins in the Three Body game in Chapter 11, "Three Body: Mozi and Fiery Flames"?

4. Where does Ye Wenjie go after her father's death? Why?

5. What does Ye Wenjie remark about potential alien contact in Chapter 14, "Red Coast IV"?

6. What does Shi relate to Wang regarding the academic community in Chapter 10, "Da Shi"?

7. What is the significance of the literary allusions to Rachel Carson's Silent Spring in the novel?

8. When did the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution take place? Why is it important in The Three-Body Problem?

9. Describe the narrative style in The Three-Body Problem. Does the narrative style change in the course of the novel?

10. How does Bai Mulin betray Ye Wenjie? Why does he betray her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss Professor Ye Zhetai and the events that occur surrounding him in Chapter 1, "The Madness Years." Why is Ye Zehai being persecuted? Who is persecuting him? How do these events impact Ye Wenjie?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the theme of betrayal in The Three-Body Problem. What characters commit betrayals and why? How does the author explore this theme through symbolism and imagery?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the theme of extremism in The Three-Body Problem. What are some examples of extremism seen in the main characters? What are the repercussions of extremism? How does the author explore this theme through symbolism and imagery?

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