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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. When catering to customers' tastes, what is Magrathea not?

2. What type of talk costs lives?

3. What is Zaphod Beeblebrox drinking?

4. What were the two most improbable events in the history of the universe?

5. What is Arthur reading?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do the mice believe the Ultimate Question they made up will sound plausable to the general public?

2. Do the characters learn any great lessons through the course of this book?

3. How did Zaphod and Ford meet Yooden Vranx?

4. Why do the cops believe that they are more intelligent and enlightened than their peers?

5. Describe the conversation that Arthur has with Marvin.

6. How do the characters escape from the computer bay?

7. Why did Zaphod alter his own brain?

8. What does Slartibartfast's award mean to him?

9. What do the mice want from Arthur?

10. Why do the philosophers object to Deep Thought? What is the computer's solution?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the three stages of civilization and apply them to a timeline of Earth's history. Use specific examples of human achievement to explain each stage.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay explaining your opinion on the nature of the universe, and the basic elements of a novel that would communicate this opinion to readers. Be sure to include:

1 - Themes that would best express this viewpoint (for example, optimism, futility, cyclical events);

2 - Types of characters (for example, anti-heroes, well-meaning protagonists);

3 - How the novel's viewpoint is similar or different to that of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay that describes the role of the absurd in literature, giving examples of books that use it as a device and explaining what purpose the absurd can play in communicating a message.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 936 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample