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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 the role of Rikki Stormgren?

2. Where does Jan Rodricks attend school?

3. In Chapter 11, what does Jan Rodricks want Professor Sullivan to help him do?

4. What does George Greggson desire to do with Jean Morrel?

5. Where do the aliens come from?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Karellen want two children to come inside the ship with him?

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

3. How do the Overlords intimidate humans with a ruse?

4. What is Karellen's philosophy about world order that he shares with Rikki Stormgren?

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

6. What are some of the adjustments the Overlords have to make to adapt to being on Earth?

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

8. What is so shocking about the Overlords' appearance as revealed in Chapter 5?

9. What does the arrival of the Overlords do to religion?

10. What biblical story does Jan Rodricks refer to in his letter to his sister, and why is that significant?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

New Athens is introduced as another backdrop for events in the novel, and Ben Salomon is identified as the colony's founder. Contrast the differences in New Athens and the rest of the Utopian society. Discuss Salomon's rationale in founding New Athens. Note and emphasize his desire for it to be an artists' colony and his reasoning behind that decision. Another biblical reference is noted with Salomon and his comparison to Moses. Discuss the spiritual (but not necessarily religious) implications in Salomon's work.

Essay Topic 2

The Overlord "inspector," Thanthalteresco, is sent to observe activities on New Athens. Thanthalteresco, along with Karellen and Rashaverak, become the central Overlord characters of the novel, each with distinctive roles. Compare and contrast the work and relationships of these three Overlords with humans, noting their unique roles. Thanthalteresco seems especially interested in George Greggson's son, Jeffrey. Describe the relationship, emphasizing its positive or negative aspects. Karellen's attitude toward humans seems to change over the course of the novel. Describe that attitude, and explain why it may have changed entirely during the arc of the story.

Essay Topic 3

Professor Sullivan has prepared a squid and whale display for the Overlords to take back to their home planet. Describe the symbolism suggested by the whale and the squid as it amplifies the plot of the novel. Discuss why the story of Jonah and the whale is of interest to Karellen. Identify any elements of foreshadowing in Karellen's knowledge of the biblical story.

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