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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. According to the narrator in the "3 May 1905" dream, a world of sincerity is also a world of what?

2. What does the narrator want readers to suppose time is?

3. Why does the terrace of the Bundesterrasse have a striking view?

4. What rushes forward to envelope the people in the last seconds before the world ends?

5. According to the narrator, why do "cursed citizens wrestle with their bedsheets"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What effect does height have in the 26 April 1905 dream?

2. What happens every day for the townspeople of Berne? (28 April 1905)

3. What happens to travelers as they enter the world described in the 14 May 1905 dream?

4. According to the first Interlude, why is Besso worried about Einstein?

5. Describe Einstein's appearance at the patent office.

6. What happens one minute before the end of the world?

7. Describe how the world is described in the 19 April 1905 dream.

8. What is the tragedy of the world described in the 10 May 1905 dream?

9. Why does Besso think that Einstein is capable of anything?

10. What happens one month before the world ends?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Reread the "8 May 1905" dream. Given the similar state of our world today (12-12-12 end of the world), whether you believe that the end of the world coincides with the end of the Mayan calendar, do you believe the movements described in the novel are believable? Why or why not? How do you think the period of time described in the novel should be spent? Why? Cite specific examples from the text to support your responses.

Essay Topic 2

Answer the following essay question being sure to use at least two examples while fully explaining why the textual evidence is being used:

- What is your favorite dream from "Einstein's Dreams" and why?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the limited use of illustrations in the novel. Why do you believe that illustrations are only used to lead into the "current time" of the novel? What is the importance of their placement? Do you believe that the illustrations are simply illustrations, or are they relative to the novel in a functional way? Why? Cite specific examples from the text to support your responses.

(see the answer keys)

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