Print
Word
PDF
|
| Name: _________________________ | Period: ___________________ |
This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.
Short Answer Questions
1. About what does Steel worry about the "pups" in the unburned coffins?
2. What is Steel's greatest success?
3. What message does Jefri sent out?
4. What could steal the secrets the Straumli archeologists uncover?
5. What do the Straumli archeologists call their settlement?
Short Essay Questions
1. Explain what the material in OOB's library says about the origins of Riders.
2. What are the thoughts of the Power after it is left alone on Earth?
3. What is the aftermath of the fight at Saint Rihndell's Repair Harbor?
4. What does Steel plan to use the alien ship for and what does Tyrathect hope to do about this?
5. What lessens the size of Woodcarver's army even before any confrontation with Lord Steel's forces.
6. Describe Johanna's deepening connection to and understanding of the people in the Woodcarver domain.
7. What is Jefri doing during Woodcarver's army's attack?
8. Describe Peregrine Wickwrackrum / Wickwrackscar.
9. How do packs communicate and how is this related to the fact they believe Johanna is dead when she faints?
10. Describe Scriber Jaqueramaphan.
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
There are a number of interesting questions raised by this book. Questions that most likely Vinge wanted the readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:
1. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the author's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Vinge's probable agenda concerning that idea.
2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?
3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?
Essay Topic 2
The time this novel takes place at least 5 billion years after our present time. Discuss the following:
1. Do you think technology will have advanced as far or farther than that shown in A Fire Upon the Deep?
2. Vinge sets the novel so far into the future of at least 5 billion years that it seems cultures might be incomprehensible from the present, yet much of the world of that time is still familiar enough to understand. Do you think this fact works for you as a reader? Do you think Vinge might have done better to have set the novel not so far into the future? Why or why not?
3. History seems to be cyclic; major civilizations have arisen and fallen just over the course of human recorded history, much less history before anything is recorded. Given that fact, do you think it is likely that there have been many cycles of history and civilizations in the 5 billion years between now and when A Fire upon the Deep takes place? Do you think many of these civilizations would actually seem far more incomprehensible than the universe which exists at the time of A Fire upon the Deep? Why or why not? What might one of these almost incomprehensible civilizations be like?
Essay Topic 3
Oftentimes, a book is more of a character-driven plot rather than action-driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:
1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character-driven or action-driven?
2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character-driven versus action-driven?
3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?
4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not?
5. What type of plot do you think A Fire Upon the Deep is? Explain your response.
|
This section contains 1,545 words (approx. 6 pages at 300 words per page) |
|
