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

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Chitiratte wait impatiently to signal?

2. Where do gunpowder and cannons go into mass production?

3. How does Steel view Amdijefri?

4. What does Steel plan to do to the rescuers?

5. To what does Steel have a natural aversion?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the Prologue, narration writes that the scientists know some intelligence is watching their work and waiting to pounce. They know that, like earlier humans, they are playing with fire, but the potential reward is tremendous. Discuss the following:

1. Considering the billions of sentient creatures that are wiped out of existence by this intelligence, could any potential reward be worth the possibility of unleashing an evil intelligence?

2. In the early part of the 21st century, Artificial Intelligence is just now being looked at as something that is possible, though many have fantasized about the idea for decades. Do you think the rewards of developing a machine with artificial intelligence is worth the risks? Or are there risks? Compare/contrast the possible rewards with the possible risks of developing artificial intelligence.

3. Do you think artificial intelligence could actually develop into an evil egomaniac? What is the artificial intelligence's main concern when the humans are working with it in the prologue?

4. Much of what is developed in labs in the "real" world has both a positive side and negative side. Consider the side effects of some medicines that can alleviate or cure disease. How does one determine when the balance of good swings too far towards the negative aspects?

Essay Topic 2

Whenever reading a science fiction or fantasy novel, one must become familiar with new terminology that explains concepts or technology that is not a part of the "real" world. In the case of A Fire upon the Deep, there is a great deal of new terminology and familiar words with new meanings. Discuss the following:

1. Find five terms that are a part of the world of A Fire upon the Deep that are a part of the language of 2010 but mean something different. Define the words as used in A Fire upon the Deep and compare those five words as to how they are currently used in the American English language.

2. How does the language of A Fire upon the Deep from that of 2010? Are there words you did not know from that time? What? How do you learn their meanings? What does it mean to grasp a the meaning of a word through its context? Can you do that in A Fire upon the Deep? Give an example of several words whose definition are made clear through the context of how the word is used.

3. There are ways of learning about a new world or time when reading a science fiction or fantasy novel. Discuss the ways you were able to understand the world of A Fire upon the Deep through its vocabulary. Did you have to look up any words?

4. Were there any words you never really understood from A Fire upon the Deep? Which ones?

Essay Topic 3

In chapter 10, when "Scarbutt," the individual that killed Dad, offers water, Johanna without planning attacks, slamming his head against the hull. She realizes that hurting one, she has hurt them all. Discuss the following:

1. Create an analysis of exactly how a pack is organized and functions.

2. Where do the inhabitants of the Tine's world originally come from and what were they in their native world? Is it likely they could have evolved to the point where they are in A Fire under the Deep? Why or why not. Remember to consider how long they have been on this world. This could be perhaps as long as 5 billion years. Do you think they could have evolved even further along than where they are evolutionally?

3. Give a description of how you think humans might have evolved in 5 billion years. Explain your description and why you come up with it.

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