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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 have the Straumli inadvertently created?

2. With what does the narrator say the humans are playing?

3. What does one post say about Homo sapiens and being controlled?

4. About what does Steel worry about the "pups" in the unburned coffins?

5. From where are troops dispatched?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do packs communicate and how is this related to the fact they believe Johanna is dead when she faints?

2. How does Bluestalk demonstrate that he is not in thrall to the Blight?

3. What is happening in the Hidden Island Kingdom as OOB is making its way to rescue Jefri? What does Pham suspect about the radio request from Jefri?

4. What does Scarbutt offer Johanna and what is her response? What does she learn from this experience?

5. Describe Pham.

6. Why does Pham distrust Steel?

7. What are the thoughts of the Power after it is left alone on Earth?

8. Describe Peregrine Wickwrackrum / Wickwrackscar.

9. What does Ravna learn when she visits Greenstalk and Blueshell in their quarters?

10. In what condition is the ship in which the Olsndot family escapes Earth by the time it reaches an unnamed and habitable world?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the Prologue, narration writes that the scientists know some intelligence is watching their work and waiting to pounce. They know that, like earlier humans, they are playing with fire, but the potential reward is tremendous. Discuss the following:

1. Considering the billions of sentient creatures that are wiped out of existence by this intelligence, could any potential reward be worth the possibility of unleashing an evil intelligence?

2. In the early part of the 21st century, Artificial Intelligence is just now being looked at as something that is possible, though many have fantasized about the idea for decades. Do you think the rewards of developing a machine with artificial intelligence is worth the risks? Or are there risks? Compare/contrast the possible rewards with the possible risks of developing artificial intelligence.

3. Do you think artificial intelligence could actually develop into an evil egomaniac? What is the artificial intelligence's main concern when the humans are working with it in the prologue?

4. Much of what is developed in labs in the "real" world has both a positive side and negative side. Consider the side effects of some medicines that can alleviate or cure disease. How does one determine when the balance of good swings too far towards the negative aspects?

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

In chapter 10, when "Scarbutt," the individual that killed Dad, offers water, Johanna without planning attacks, slamming his head against the hull. She realizes that hurting one, she has hurt them all. Discuss the following:

1. Create an analysis of exactly how a pack is organized and functions.

2. Where do the inhabitants of the Tine's world originally come from and what were they in their native world? Is it likely they could have evolved to the point where they are in A Fire under the Deep? Why or why not. Remember to consider how long they have been on this world. This could be perhaps as long as 5 billion years. Do you think they could have evolved even further along than where they are evolutionally?

3. Give a description of how you think humans might have evolved in 5 billion years. Explain your description and why you come up with it.

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