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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 island do George Greggson and Jean Morrel visit?

2. Who offers the primary point of view in Chapter 14?

3. What happens to the island of Athens?

4. Why is Professor Sullivan sad in Chapter 13?

5. What is the name of the invaders' home planet?

Short Essay Questions

1. What events are foreshadowed when the Inspector shares his report with Karellen after meeting with the New Athens council?

2. Why do George Greggson and Jean Morrel move to New Athens? Describe their adjustment to their new home.

3. Why are people worldwide grieving after George Greggson and Jean Morrel's children begin to change?

4. Why was New Athens founded, by whom, and what is its greatest artistic achievement?

5. According to Karellen, why did the Overlords build Utopia, and what is his desire for mankind?

6. In his radio address in Chapter 20, what does Karellen explain is his reason for occupying the planet?

7. What does Jan Rodricks observe after the Overlords depart and leave him as the last person on Earth, and what does he wonder about the Overlords and his role at the end?

8. 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?

9. How does Jan Rodricks respond when approaching Earth on his return, and why?

10. Why is Karellen sad at the end of the novel?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One goal of the Overlords is the establishment of a World Federation. Compare and contrast the concept of a World Federation to our current system of self-governing nations. Taking a look at both sides of the argument, choose which ideology seems the most reasonable, and justify that ideology. Explain whether or not insurrection against an established ideology is justified or not, using the Freedom League's opposition to the Overlords as a starting point.

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the book, Clarke drops subtle hints (and some not so subtle) of what is to come, employing the literary device of foreshadowing. Identify at least three major incidences of foreshadowing, in which an event in the book points toward its ultimate conclusion. With each event earlier in the book, cite the event that fulfills the foreshadowing that came earlier, and the plot elements that moved the story from the foreshadowing incident to the outcome.

Essay Topic 3

The last few chapters of "Childhood's End" are tinged with definite melancholy and a sense of loss. Discuss George Greggson and Jean Morrel's feelings as their two children seem to be slipping away. Discuss if this is akin to the grief someone would feel at the death of a loved one. Compare the sense of loss they feel with the emotions Karellen seems to be developing toward the end of the story. Are the two children really "lost"? Explain your answer.

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