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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 sort of welcome do Peregrine and Scriber receive?

2. Who sees the cargo shell land?

3. When does the OOB slow?

4. Who is Olsndot's wife?

5. How is the archive described?

Short Essay Questions

1. About what does Twirlip of the Mists wonder and what is the Alliance for the Defense's response?

2. Describe Scriber Jaqueramaphan.

3. Describe Ravna Bergsndot.

4. Explain what the material in OOB's library says about the origins of Riders.

5. What are a couple things Steel and Jefri learn about the other?

6. How are Peregrine and Scriber received in the Woodcarver's Domain and what happens to Johanna when she arrives with them?

7. What are some of the arguments about the Blight on the net?

8. Describe the High Council meeting Johanna attends and what happens to Woodcarver during the meeting.

9. Why is Scriber depressed?

10. What happens that makes Ravna worry that Pham is a construct of the Powers?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

A Fire upon the Deep is written in the genre of science fiction. Discuss the following:

1. What sets science fiction apart from other genres? What are the characteristics of the genre of science fiction?

2. Based upon the characteristics you list in 1 above, discuss why A Fire upon the Deep falls under the genre of science fiction.

3. Some people might say that science fiction is merely for entertainment? Do you agree or not? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

There are a number of interesting questions raised by this book. Questions that most likely Vinge wanted the readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the author's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Vinge's probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

Essay Topic 3

Scriber describes the Olnsdot's cargo ship as a "flying house." Humans tend to learn about or relate to new things through an association with something they already know. Discuss the following:

1. Describe and analyze some of the descriptions the pack gives the new things and people, Jefri and Johanna, and show how their descriptions are related to what they already know.

2. While reading A Fire under the Deep, it is likely that you also relate new concepts and objects to what is already familiar to you. Choose 5 new objects or concepts and write about how they are similar to something already in your experience. Does this help or hinder your understanding of the new concept or object?

3. What do you think might be the pitfalls of relating new experiences in terms of previous experiences?

(see the answer keys)

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