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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 does Keith bring back for Cory?

2. At least how many guns does each household in the neighborhood have?

3. What does Keith come back with the next time he runs away?

4. How many children live in the Yannis household?

5. What does Keith bring back for his brothers Bennett and Gregory?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is there sometimes problems with the relationship between Rev. Olamina and Jay Garfield?

2. Why are some families opposed to having guns?

3. Why does Lauren's stepmother say she prefers the city lights?

4. What are Olivar's problems before the company takes it over?

5. What is it about Lauren's flying in her dream that makes her seem "better" than she used to be, and what makes her still not an expert?

6. What is "prodigy" according to the opening passage of the book?

7. Why are water peddlers dangerous?

8. What does it take to be a good member of Earthseed?

9. Describe Richard Moss' religion.

10. What is the story of the parable of the importunate widow?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the Biblical parable of the sower and describe how it is an allegory for what happens in the novel.

a. How does the message of the Parable relate to Lauren's efforts to convert others to her Earthseed philosophy?

b. Why do you think Butler chooses this as the title for the book?

c. In general, how is organized religion portrayed in the lives of characters in the book? Does it seem to have more of a negative or positive influence on people's lives?

Essay Topic 2

Explain the affects of racial differences in the novel. Does race seem to matter more or less than in the America Butler describes than it does now?

Essay Topic 3

The lives of children in Butler's dystopic vision in not a very positive one. Explain how the social conditions of the time affect the lives of the following children:

a. Amy Dunn.

b. Tori Solis.

c. Dominic.

d. Doe Mora.

e. Justin Mohr.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 669 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample