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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What location has one-third as much gravity as Earth?
(a) Mars.
(b) Endeavour.
(c) The moon.
(d) Rama.

2. Why is Dr. Bose "exiled" from the Earth?
(a) He has a contagious virus.
(b) He is too sentimental to leave his adopted home.
(c) Earth is uninhabitable.
(d) He cannot face reconditioning.

3. Who goes with the Commander on the first EVA?
(a) Karl Mercer.
(b) Boris Rodrigo.
(c) Joe Calvert.
(d) James Pak.

4. According to Chapter 6, how far is the distance between Earth and Mars?
(a) Five hours by shuttle.
(b) The same distance as the Sun is from the Earth.
(c) One hundred million kilometers.
(d) Three hundred million kilometers.

5. What event do the inhabitants of Earth see as inevitable?
(a) The destruction of the city of Venice by a tsunami, caused by the eruption of Krakatoa.
(b) The overpopulation of Earth.
(c) Catastrophic destruction caused by a meteorite from space landing in an inhabited city.
(d) Continued cosmic bombardment of the Moon, causing additional scarring of the "face."

Short Answer Questions

1. How does one astronomer refer to asteroids?

2. When did the inhabitants of Europe see a dazzling fireball appear in the eastern sky?

3. According to Chapter 11, with whom does the Commander have a brief romantic encounter?

4. What is the object that is first cataloged as 31/439?

5. The reference to the five giants is referring to what group of five?

Short Essay Questions

1. According to Chapter 4, what unusual action was taken so that Rama could intercept Rama?

2. What was the initial response to the catastrophic destruction of 2077?

3. Describe the theories put forth to the Rama Committee about the age of Rama.

4. What precautions are taken to ensure the safety of the exploration crew? Why is it unnecessary to supply breathing gear on Rama?

5. What were the characteristics of the object known as 31/439 that set it apart from other asteroids?

6. Compare and contrast the substance found at the bottom of the Straight Valley and the Cylindrical Sea.

7. What things surprised Commander Norton about Rama while he was waiting to exit the Endeavour to explore Rama?

8. Is Professor Davidson interested in finding out more about Rama?

9. When do objects like 31/439 obtain a name?

10. After the initial news media fuss, why did all the world forget about Rama, except for the astronomers?

(see the answer keys)

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