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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 Sir Daniel order be done to Chris?

2. For how long is a nav marker useable?

3. Why does Chris leap off a cliff?

4. What game are the monks playing?

5. What do Marek and the others have done at a level above the transit room?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Gordon explain about the nav button Sue Gomez carries?

2. What does Diane Kramer prohibit Victor from doing, and what is his response?

3. What does Stern explain to the others while they are riding to Black Rock?

4. What does Oliver ask the Professor, who is known as the magister, to make?

5. What does Gordon explain to David about the reconstitution of the travelers?

6. What surprises Chris about his bath?

7. What does Marek notice about the doors as they descend, and what does Gordon explain about them?

8. What good news/bad news does Diane Kramer give Doniger?

9. What does Gordon tell David Stern concerning David's desire to join his friends?

10. How does Kate's state of mind change, and what does that help her to do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Chris finds fault with everything about the evening, particularly Kate's stockbroker friends from New York who keep asking ignorant questions about the dig site. For their benefit, Marek explains how under the feudal system, powerful lords provided the social order which had been lacking throughout the dark ages. The medieval era was a time of cultural and economic growth. Yet the Hundred Years War between England and France also caused great bloodshed and strife.

a. What do you think are the reasons Chris is finding fault with Kate’s friends?

b. Do you think the feudal system was beneficial to the people of the middle ages? Why or why not?

c. Discuss some examples of how the Hundred Years War caused so many problems in England and France. Use examples from Timeline to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Michael Crichton, in his signature style, blends scientific fact with fiction in Timeline. The introduction is designed to lay the groundwork for his theme of scientific hubris. Crichton establishes a parallel between the arrogant shortsightedness of late 19th Century scientists and the equally arrogant, shortsighted scientists of the late 20th Century.

a. Discuss three examples of Crichton blending scientific fact with fiction in Timeline.

b. Discuss what is meant by the term scientific hubris in the above paragraph.

c. Compare one incident of scientific shortsightedness in the 19th Century to one in the late 20th Century. This may require research.

Essay Topic 3

Books may have a character-driven plot, and action-drive plot, or a balance the two. Discuss the following:

a. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character-driven? Action driven?

b. How do you think a plot differs if it is character-driven versus action-driven?

c. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

d. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not?

e. What type of plot do you think Timeline is? Explain your response.

(see the answer keys)

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