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. Why might Comporellon hold clues to Earth?

2. Why does Trevize wonder if he should worry about his safety?

3. In the myth Pelorat relates, what causes thorns and thistles?

4. Under what conditions does Bliss say she will interfere?

5. Why does Pelorat say thorns and thistles may be needed?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why would a Gaian naturally value truth?

2. When was Gaia first formed?

3. What does the choice of clothing of people on Comporellon show about human nature?

4. What does Lizalor do when she hears the word "Earth"?

5. What does Trevize want to prove during his sexual encounter with the government minister?

6. Why does Bliss think marriage is unnecessary for Gaians?

7. Why might the showers on Comporellon be colder than showers Trevize is used to?

8. What does the minister plan to do if anyone questions her decision to let Trevize leave?

9. Why does Trevize question the reason for a large crowd watching the spaceship take off?

10. By allowing Trevize to land, what is the border official prioritizing above the law of society?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the role of women and sexuality in the novel.

1) Compare the two sexual encounters Trevize has with the female representatives of societies he visits. Does Trevize use his sexuality to manipulate one or both of these women? Do the women use sexuality to manipulate him?

2) How are sexual mores different in the different cultures in the novel? How does this affect the role of women in those cultures?

3) Is Bliss a strong female character? How does her sexuality affect her role in the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Compare Daneel to a deity. Daneel is a powerful, mind-controlling robot who has existed for 20,000 years, operating behind the scenes to try to protect and help mankind.

1) In what ways is Daneel god-like? In what ways is Daneel's garden beneath the surface of the moon like a heaven?

2) What limits or checks are there on Daneel's power? Is Daneel too powerful?

3) Has Daneel succeeded in completely manipulating Trevize? Why does Trevize feel a sense of joy when the ship is taken over for him as he approaches Daneel and the end of his journey?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Travize's character in the novel.

1) Why is Travize driven to find Earth, despite information that Earth is radioactive or even mythical?

2) Is Travize reasonable and logical, or is he emotional and illogical? Is he both? When and why?

3) How does Travize treat other people? Is he overly manipulative? Does he recognize other people's points of view?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 760 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample