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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 does the mollusk expect to develop sight but doesn't?

2. What gives the narrator the idea that space has a shape and form?

3. What does the narrator anticipate with relief at the end of "The Light-Years"?

4. What job does Zahn recommend Qfwfq for, which Qfwfq would rather not do?

5. What sign does the narrator read that at first he's happy about, but later is disappointed by?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Zahn first react to Qfwfq?

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

3. Why does the narrator get an enormous sign of a hand with a pointing finger?

4. Describe Lieutenant Fenimore.

5. When does the narrator suppose that he might finally meet Ursula, and what does he fear about that potential meeting?

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

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

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

9. How does the narrator see evolution as confining?

10. What second enormous hand sign does the narrator make, and why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout COSMICOMICS, perception affects and often creates reality. Discuss the relationship of perception and reality in COSMICOMICS.

1) How do others' opinions of Qfwfq (or the unnamed narrator) shape his opinion of himself and his actions in Calvino's stories?

2) In "All at One Point," how does shared perception create reality? Why is shared perception more powerful than individual perception?

3) How do the different characters' perceptions of change in "At Daybreak" and "Without Colors" affect their experience of reality?

Essay Topic 2

Each story in COSMICOMICS is based on a snippet of information about science. Discuss the role of science in Calvino's stories.

1) How does the author choose the science information to base the stories on? Why are some of the science ideas and theories ones that have been disproved?

2) What role does science play in the stories themselves? Why does Calvino make his stories fantastical, and what relationship does the fantastical have to science?

3) What is Calvino's attitude toward science in COSMICOMICS?

Essay Topic 3

Throughout COSMICOMICS, Qfwfq feels judged by others, and characters enter into petty squabbles with each other. Discuss judgment throughout COSMICOMICS.

1) In "A Sign in Space," why does Qfwfq feel judged? What reasons does he have to feel that others are judging him? How does he judge himself?

2) In "All at One Point," how do the characters judge and criticize each other? Why is Mrs. Ph(i)NK_0 immune to this judgmental behavior?

3) How do Qfwfq and his uncle judge each other in "The Aquatic Uncle"? Where do their opinions of each other stem from?

4) In "The Light-Years," why does the narrator feel judged? How does he judge himself? How does his perception of being judged affect his actions and his relationship with others?

(see the answer keys)

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