View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What has revolutionized the Earth's economy?

2. What does the reporter ask Rikki Stormgren 50 years after his final encounter with Karellen?

3. Who is the first person Rikki Stormgren meets after his abduction?

4. What happens when Rikki Stormgren doesn't show up for work?

5. What is the first thing the spectators experience after a spaceship lands?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Rikki Stormgren freed from the group that has kidnapped him?

2. Who are the Overlords, and where are they found at the beginning of Chapter 2?

3. What does Jan Rodricks learn from his research in star catalogs, and what is the significance of his discovery?

4. What is the relationship between Reinhold Hoffmann and the Russian scientist Konrad Schneider?

5. What does Reinhold Hoffmann see in the night sky over the island of Taratura, and what does it imply?

6. List at least two facts about each of Jan Rodricks' parents. How have his parents influenced who he is?

7. Who is Rikki Stormgren, and what is his role?

8. What does Jan Rodricks ask Professor Sullivan to help him do, and what is Sullivan's response?

9. What are Rashaverak's feelings about Rupert Boyce as he relates them to Karellen?

10. What frustrations does Jan Rodricks voice to his sister, Maia? Explain how he plans to deal with those frustrations.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Religion vs. science is a dominant theme in "Childhood's End." Consider Karellen's desire not to be involved in spiritual matters. Explain why this is a standard he holds. Karellen donates an apparatus to the World History Foundation that shows footage of the past 5,000 years. In spite of the fact that he doesn't want to interfere in spiritual matters, the device dispels many religious views. Discuss and explain why Karellen chose to do this.

Essay Topic 2

George Greggson and Jan Rodricks seem to be kindred spirits. While they are alike in many ways, there are some significant differences, especially in how they respond to the Overlords' rule. Identify several differences and explain how they affect the outcome of their lives. Discuss how those differences are employed by Clarke to provide different perspectives for the reader.

Essay Topic 3

Karellen reveals himself in Chapter 5. He invites two children to join him on board his ship before he exits. Consider whether or not children have an inherent fear of the same things adults find frightening, or if fear is a learned response. Discuss the differences between what is frightening to a child and what is frightening to an adult. Describe Karellen's rationale in revealing himself in the fashion he does, based on what he has discerned about human nature.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 871 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample