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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. Who does Jill cover for when she stays in Michael's room?

2. What happens to the body of a dead Martian?

3. How does Jill get Michael out of the hospital?

4. Where is Michael put when he arrives on Earth?

5. What does Jill tell Jubal about Ben?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Gillian give Michael and what does he insist she do?

2. Why did Captain Tromp take Michael to the medical center?

3. What does Michael say about his ability to make things disappear?

4. How do Martians reproduce?

5. What does Duke brag about in relation to Michael and what does Jubal tell him?

6. Who went to Mars 25 years before the beginning of this book and what happened to them?

7. What does the book say about human behavior and reproduction?

8. Why does Ben want to meet Jill secretly?

9. How does Jill get Michael out of the hospital and where do they go?

10. What does Ben do to try to get to talk to Michael and how does that turn out?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Truth can be related to belief in this way, where the act of belief makes something true for most practical purposes. Mrs. Douglas believes in Madame Vesant, therefore what she says is truth to Mrs. Douglas.

1. How do you think beliefs and truth relate to each other? Use examples from the book and/or your own life to support your opinion.

2. Do you think if someone believes something strong enough it will become true? Why or why not? Use examples from the book and/or your life to support your opinion.

3. If someone believes something to be true do you think facts can change his/her belief? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Jubal Hershaw is a savvy and cantankerous old man with a heart of gold. He definitely barks but only bites those who deserve it. When Jill shows up with Michael, Jubal does not hesitate to invite them to stay, mostly because he finds the Man from Mars a very interesting subject in a world that has not interested him for a good many years.

1. What character traits are interesting about Jubal Hershaw? Would you like him if you met him in real life? Why or why not?

2. If you were in trouble who would you go, as Jill did, to Jubal Hershaw? Why would you go to that person? Would the person you would seek out for help resemble Jubal in any way?

Essay Topic 3

Heinlein introduces a highly important Martian ritual, the sharing of water. This results in the creation of water brothers, people who are tightly coupled beyond the concepts of friendship and marriage.

1. Describe a human ceremony which may be a less tightly bonded version of the water brothers. Compare the two.

2. Do you think that a short ceremony, such as the sharing of water can bond people together? Why or why not?

3. How has the concept of water sharing illustrated the problems with communication between two alien cultures? Use examples from the book or history to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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