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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. Who is Kinsai?

2. Who is assigned as Emilio's linguistic assistant?

3. What does Emilio fear he has?

4. Where is Supaair in the opening of Chapter 12?

5. How long has the new crew been training when Candotti visits Sandoz?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Sofia do about her pregnancy on Rakhat?

2. Who finds Sofia when Isaac is four and what does he say?

3. What does Emilio ask Gina about Sofia, what does Gina want him to do about it, what is Emilio's response and what does he want Gina to do?

4. What does Sofia do at first when she is stuck on Rakhat, how does that activity change and what happens with Emilio that she doesn't know?

5. Why does Supaari go to see his mother and what is her response to that visit?

6. What does Supaari do about his daughter when he leaves his mother's house?

7. What does Gina do about Emilio canceling their Fridays together? What is Emilio's response?

8. What does Ljaat-sa Kitheri tell Supaari about his daughter and how does he feel about it?

9. What does Vincenzo tell Danny about Emilio and the next Rakhat mission, why is Emilio proving valuable and what does Vincenzo think a trip to Rakhat will do for Emilio?

10. How did Emilio come to be on Giordano Bruno and what does Carlo tell him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Often titles reveal much about one or more aspects of a novel. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think is the purpose of a title? How closely related to a major theme(s) of a book do you think a title should be? Or should it be?

2. How is the phrase "Children of God" relevant to the action of the novel? What sort of emotional/psychological response does the title evoke? Why do you think Russel chose this title (if she does)? If you were perusing the library for a book to read and saw this title, would it pique your interest? Why or why not. Does it seem to be the best title for the book?

3. If you were the writer of Children of God and your editor says the title must be changed, what would you choose? Why?

Essay Topic 2

There are a number of interesting questions raised by this book. Questions that most likely Russell wanted the readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the author's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Russel's probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of CHILDREN OF GOD, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements (Subplots may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not.

(see the answer keys)

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