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 is the young woman staring at in the end of the "15 June 1905" dream?"

2. What does Einstein ask Besso for during the third Interlude?

3. What does the narrator want readers to "suppose" in the "9 June 1905" dream?

4. Why does the young man choose to return to his proper place in time rather than staying a few minutes in the future in the "15 June 1905" dream?

5. What have those who live in the world of the "9 June 1905" dream determined is the only way to live?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why have some inhabitants of the 29 May 1905 world become frustrated and despondent?

2. According to the 3 June 1905 dream, describe how a person born in December exists.

3. What has the young woman at no. 27 Viktoriastrasse missed in her life because of the sudden thrust into the future?

4. In the 22 May 1905 dream, what happens for those who have seen a glimpse of their future?

5. How does the narrator describe a world without a future?

6. Why do sunset and sunrise babies become frightened when the light changes?

7. In the 22 May 1905 dream, what happens for those who have not seen a glimpse of their future yet?

8. Describe the life of a peach in the world where time travels in reverse.

9. What is the biggest problem associated with living in the 20 May 1905 world?

10. Describe the cafe that stands on the corner of Kramgasse and Theaterplatz.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Consider the representation of time and dreams in the novel. Can you find any links that actualize the parallels between dreams and time? Cite three examples from the text that show commonalities between dreams and time. Discuss these parallels in a comparison essay.

Essay Topic 2

Given that this novel is written by someone other than Einstein, do you believe that the author was working out a theory of his own and used Einstein as a muse? What would support your standing? Cite specific examples from the text to support your responses.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the Great Clock. What problems are associated with placing all trust in a manmade object? What are the benefits associated with placing all trust in a synthetic object? Would you choose to place you life in the motion of the clock or not? Why? Cite specific examples from the text to support your responses.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 978 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample