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

2. Does the minister believe that Trevize will return?

3. What does Trevize say would happen if news of Bliss' presence got out?

4. What does the minister do after having sex with Trevize?

5. What does Bliss call people who are not part of Gaia?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Trevize seem annoyed by the rain when the spaceship is departing?

2. Why does Deniador find it difficult to believe that a Spacer woman might travel with others on an ancient ship?

3. Trevize admits Gaia's peacefulness, but he still dislikes it. What does he value that he's afraid of losing to Gaia?

4. How does Trevize feel about having to run from an animal?

5. Why does Pelorat want to stay on Aurora?

6. What does Trevize hope to find in the ruins?

7. What are some differences between animal life in the galaxy as Trevize knows it and animals on Earth today?

8. Why are the oldest records of Gaia stored in inanimate, inaccessible locations?

9. Who picks up the three travelers when they land on Comporellon?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the genre of the novel.

1) What aspects of the novel make it science fiction? What science is important to the novel?

2) What aspects of the mystery genre does this novel have? What is the mystery at the heart of the novel?

3) In what ways does Trevize act as a detective? What is the "twist" at the end of the novel?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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