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| Name: _________________________ | Period: ___________________ |
This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.
Short Answer Questions
1. What is Jan Rodricks not allowed to photograph?
2. What do the aliens do while the children develop their powers?
3. What is Jean Morrel shocked to find in her new home?
4. Who is Charles Yan Sen?
5. What bothers George Greggson about Jan Rodricks?
Short Essay Questions
1. Describe Jan Rodricks' activities during his stay on Carina. How does he feel about his visit?
2. What are George Greggson's thoughts on Jan Rodricks after he learns that Rodricks has stowed away on an Overlord ship? How does Greggson identify with Rodricks?
3. What does Karellen reveal during his weekly press conference in Chapter 14, and how does he justify the Overlords' actions based on their revelation during the conference?
4. Why are George Greggson and Jean Morrel spending more time with their children in Chapter 19?
5. What happens at the council meeting between the leaders of New Athens and the Overlord "Inspector," Thanthalteresco? How does Thanthalteresco respond to Dr. Sen's comments?
6. How does Karellen explain to Jan Rodricks mankind's ancient fear of the satanic appearance of the Overlords?
7. According to Karellen, why did the Overlords build Utopia, and what is his desire for mankind?
8. Why are people worldwide grieving after George Greggson and Jean Morrel's children begin to change?
9. Why is Karellen sad at the end of the novel?
10. What is significant about the results of the tsunami on George Greggson's family?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
The supernatural seems to intrude on the natural during the seance held at Rupert Boyce's home. While "Childhood's End" is a work of science fiction, identify two or three events that might seem better suited to a work of fantasy or supernatural fiction. Why did Clarke interject these events into what most would consider "hard" science fiction? Discuss whether Clarke using this fictional convention helps or hinders the overall theme of the book.
Essay Topic 2
Earth, as the characters in the novel know it, ends. In the story arc, identify when the end of mankind becomes inevitable. Discuss whether or not the novel could have ended any other way. Are George Greggson, Jean Morrel, and Jan Rodricks tragic figures, or are they heroes? Defend your answer. If Clarke had asked you to title his novel, would you have chosen "Childhood's End" or "Childhood's Beginning"? Explain your answer.
Essay Topic 3
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.
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This section contains 1,004 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |
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