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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 does Karellen do to the extremists when Karellen helps Rikki Stormgren escape?

2. Where is the alien ship located in Chapter 5?

3. How does the leader of the invaders make first contact with the people of Earth?

4. Why is the leader of the extremist group resentful?

5. Whom does Karellen meet with in his office in Chapter 9?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the use of machines do to Earth culture after the Overlords establish Utopia?

2. What is the role of the American scientist Reinhold Hoffmann?

3. What game does Rupert Boyce play with his remaining guests, and why?

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

5. Who is Karellen, and what does he state is his intention for occupying Earth?

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

7. What does Alexander Wainwright believe the Overlords are waiting for before revealing themselves?

8. How are George Greggson and Jean Morrel introduced in Chapter 7?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Overmind is introduced. In the context of the novel, is the Overmind God? Explain your answer. Describe the relationship between the Overlords and the Overmind. Discuss whether or not Karellen's notion that the Overmind is protecting humanity from itself is a valid one, and why Karellen would hold that opinion.

Essay Topic 2

Several times throughout the book, Clarke calls upon mythological imagery. Describe and discuss the role that mythology plays in the book. Why did Clarke use mythology in the fashion that he did? Is it used effectively? Does it detract from the overall impression of the story? Explain your answers in depth.

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.

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