View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What food is substituted for Ruan flesh?

2. What selections does Isaac play?

3. What satisfies Isaac's need for order?

4. How does Supaari insult Hlavin?

5. What eventually happens to Runa traitors?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to Bruno in 2047 on the way to Rakhat?

2. What kind of music does Bruno pick up in 2070-73, why does Emilio agree to listen to it and what does he say about it?

3. What angers Puska about Hlavin and what does she know about Ha'anala's fate?

4. What does Suukmel tell Rukuei after the battle where Hlavin is killed?

5. Why do Isaac and Ha'anala stay in a Jana'ata camp? What message does Ha'anala send Sofia?

6. How does Ha'anala feel about the lander coming in with food, what does she know about her future and what does she say she wants done with the children?

7. What do the crew see on Rakhat when Bruno enters orbit and what do they hear? What does Joseba say about it?

8. What kind of analogy does Sean see in relation to the Runa and the Jana'ata?

9. What does John believe about atheists, where did he learn this and what does he pray about Emilio and Rakhat?

10. At the end of his life, what does Danny say about the crew on Bruno and what he thinks about his destiny?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as CHILDREN OF GOD help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading CHILDREN OF GOD? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in CHILDREN OF GOD to discuss and compare Emilio's response to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 2

Oftentimes, a book is more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think A Fire Upon the Deep is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 3

In CHILDREN OF GOD there are sentient beings besides humans.

1. List and describe all the sentient, non-human beings.

2. Do you think most of the the non-human, sentient beings are accorded lesser status by the humans? Are they inferior to human beings?

3. Are there any characters who seem to accord the non-human, sentient beings equal status with their own? Who? If not, why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,038 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample