View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Katherine take samples of the mortar?

2. What is the man wearing that lies beside the road where Dan and Liz are driving?

3. What does the doctor want to ascertain before sedating the old man?

4. What happens if Marek does not get past the t-bar quickly enough?

5. What did scientists believe they had done at the end of the century mentioned in the Introduction?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Dan Baker want to do when traveling on a poor, rutted road in Arizona and how does that differ from his wife's desires?

2. What is different about Marek's language abilities from most scholars?

3. What indications are there that ITC's luck with quantum research has failed?

4. What does quantum technology make possible?

5. What does Wauneka show the Bakers that was in the old man's pocket, and what does Liz say about the drawing?

6. What is Marek like as a medieval historian?

7. What is Chris' specialty in graduate school?

8. What does Dan notice about the old man's body when Dan lifts him into the car?

9. What does Marek say about the strategic importance of the Dordogne?

10. What does Doniger order Gordon to have a security officer do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

a. Compare/contrast the characters of Marek and Chris. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

b. Compare/contrast the characters of Kate and Lady Claire. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

c. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in Timeline help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

Essay Topic 2

Doniger is a man who will stop at nothing to keep his competitive advantage. Opposing Doniger and his billions is one lone rural police officer with a hunch. Thus the author has created tension, for the reader must wait to see if Officer Wauneka will be able to piece the puzzle together, and just how far Doniger and ITC are willing to go to stop him.

a. Discuss the ways in which Doniger is portrayed as a competitive person.

b. Do you think Wauneka pursued his suspicions far enough? Why or why not?

c. Discuss the ways in which Doniger and ITC attempt to stop Wauneka from investigating the death of Joseph Traub and ITC.

Essay Topic 3

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

a. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

b. Socrates said, "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as Timeline help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading Timeline? Why or why not. Use examples from Timeline and your own life to support your answer.

c. Choose one specific incident in Timeline to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 909 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample