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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. After the narrator speculates that Ursula H'x and Lieutenant Fenimore might have met at some time in the past, what does he deduce from this speculation?

2. Why does Qfwfq bet that there will be atoms?

3. What begins to happen to Qfwfq and Dean (k)yK's bets after humanity appears on the scene?

4. Where does N'ba N'ga say is a good hunting ground?

5. How does Qfwfq feel about N'ba N'ga?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the narrator describe being with Ursula H'x when their routes intersect?

2. How does Lll react when she first meets N'ba N'ga?

3. What does Qfwfq do with the body of the dinosaur the New Ones find?

4. How does Zahn first react to Qfwfq?

5. Which bets does Qfwfq find most satisfying?

6. In the end of the mollusk's story, in what way does he encounter the female mollusk?

7. What gives Qfwfq an advantage over Dean (k)yK when they bet during the early evolution of the universe?

8. How do the New Ones' perception of dinosaurs change over the time Qfwfq is with them?

9. How does the narrator see evolution as confining?

10. What happens to the initial wealth that Qfwfq builds up?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Calvino's stories parallel each other to a greater or lesser degree. Discuss the parallels between stories in COSMICOMICS.

1) What parallels are there between "The Spiral," "The Light-Years," and "A Sign in Space"? How are these three stories' portrayals of signs and creation different and similar?

2) What parallels are there between "At Daybreak," "Without Colors," and "The Aquatic Uncle"? How are these three stories' portrayals of change and human reactions to change different and similar?

3) What parallels are there between "How Much Shall We Bet?" and "Games Without End"? How are these two stories' portrayals of rivalry different and similar?

4) What other parallels are there between the stories in COSMICOMICS? What role do parallels between the stories play in the development of Calvino's themes?

Essay Topic 2

In several of the stories, a family forms the central group of characters. Discuss the portrayal and role of family in COSMICOMICS.

1) Discuss the family in "At Daybreak." What role does each family member play in the family as a whole? How does being a family affect the characters' interactions?

2) How are the communities in "The Distance of the Moon" and "All at One Point" similar to and different from families?

3) What role does family play in "The Aquatic Uncle"? How does the familial relationship between Qfwfq and his uncle affect the story?

4) What role does family play in "The Dinosaurs"? How does Fern-flower's relationship to her brother affect the story? What is the import of Qfwfq fathering a son?

Essay Topic 3

Calvino's stories deal with communication between an individual and the world around him. Discuss communication in Calvino's stories.

1) In "The Light Years," how does the narrator communicate with others? What problems are there in communication?

2) In "The Form of Space," how does the narrator communicate with the other characters? What role does communication play in the story?

3) How well do the characters in COSMICOMICS communicate with the ones they love? How well, and in what way, do the characters communicate with their rivals?

4) In "A Sign in Space," how does Qfwfq communicate through his sign? What meaning and communication does Qfwfq receive from other signs? What is the role of communication in the story?

(see the answer keys)

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