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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 is Einstein's attitude toward politics during Chapter Seven?

2. In Chapter Four, what kind of father is Einstein?

3. What does Einstein's famous formula mean?

4. Einstein's work, and the work of scientists after him, eventually lead to the creation of what?

5. When Einstein first lectures on his theory in the US, he comments that, "It is all very simple." How does the audience respond?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the reader learn about Albert from his questions about his father's compass?

2. Describe Mr. Einstein's appearance at the opening of the book.

3. Why does Einstein change his mind about granting the boy from the porch an interview?

4. Do the townspeople respect Einstein at the beginning of the book?

5. Explain Einstein's view, as stated in Chapter Seven, on how scientists should behave in the global community.

6. Based on Einstein's dialogue with community members, what type of person does he seem to be in Chapter One?

7. As Einstein starts receiving professorships, why is Mileva still frustrated with their financial situation?

8. Why is Einstein asked not to return to the Luitpold Gymnasium?

9. Explain what happens to the group of German astronomers who plan to check Einstein's theory on light rays by observing a total eclipse.

10. According to the author, why does young Einstein not fit in at his school?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Einstein feel about his legacy as a scientist? Given all that comes from his work, is he pleased with his contribution to the world or dismayed by it? Use material from the book and knowledge of his character to support either assertion and discuss in detail Einstein's feelings about the modern applications of his theory.

Essay Topic 2

Einstein builds on Newton's ideas. Pick one modern-day scientist who makes a career of building on Einstein's ideas, and discuss the ways in which Einstein's theories are updated from the 20th to the 21st century.

Essay Topic 3

Pick an Einstein quote that sums up his character and discuss in detail why that particular quote says all that needs to be said about him. The selected quote should speak to at least three different aspects of his character.

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