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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. To what does the narrator compare the paths of the characters' falls?

2. What is the second sign the narrator sees, when he is looking for reactions to his magnanimous and generous actions?

3. What does Qfwfq identify as the first numbers to exist?

4. What variables does the narrator use to refer to the two moments in his life that he thinks others must be observing from far-away galaxies?

5. What type of fish is N'ba N'ga?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What explanation does the narrator give for caring about the opinion of whoever wrote the sign he first sees?

4. In what way, according to the narrator's description, does the existence of a shell bring about eyes and the ability to see?

5. What does the narrator think the first sign he sees is referring to?

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

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

8. What does N'ba N'ga like about the water where he lives?

9. What causes the narrator's suspicions about the female he encounters?

10. What is the attitude of the New Ones to the Dinosaurs, when Qfwfq first encounters the New Ones after his period of isolation?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In COSMICOMICS, objects and things outside the self often reflect the self to the outside world. Discuss the role of objects and belongings in COSMICOMICS, and their relationship to identity and self.

1) What is the role of the characters' outer appearance in reflecting their inner selves? How do Ursula H'x and Lieutenant Fenimore's appearances reflect their personalities? How does the mollusk's shell become an embodiment of the mollusk's self?

2) How do objects the characters create and acquire reflect themselves? How does the sign in space become a representation of Qfwfq? How do the hydrogen atoms and the galaxies the boys form in "Games Without End" become representations of the boys, and part of their comparisons with each other?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Discuss the portrayal of women in CosmicomicsCOSMICOMICS.

1) Compare Ayl, Lll, and Qfwfq's sister G'd(w)^n. How are these characters similar? Are their similarities related to their gender? Are their other female characters who share similarities? Are there female characters who contrast to these three women?

2) What attracts Qfwfq or the unnamed narrator to female love interests? What is the source of love? How does Qfwfq and the unnamed narrator perceive women?

3) Discuss Mrs. Ph(i)NK_0. How does she represent women? How is she treated differently from the other characters in "All at One Point"? How does she compare with representations of women in other stories?

(see the answer keys)

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