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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. What is the solution to the first crisis on Terminus?

2. What doesn't Pirenne want a big issue to be made about during the anniversary?

3. What does Lord Dorwin use often on his visit to Terminus?

4. How many paths are open to the future of Terminus after 50 years?

5. Seldon shocks the court when he predicts that what will fall?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Hari Seldon calculate that a disaster will befall the Empire in 300 years?

2. What does Seldon mean when he tells the Emperor that if they execute him, the end of the Empire will come in 50 years, not 300?

3. How does Asimov describe Gaal Dornick?

4. What is Seldon's punishment from the Emperor?

5. Why is Terminus of interest to the planet Anacrea?

6. What does Gaal see from the observation tower of the Luxor hotel?

7. How did Dr. Seldon use Gaal to further his plans?

8. Why is Hardin concerned that Anacreon has crowned a king?

9. What does Hardin's analysis of the conversations he secretly taped with Lord Dorwin show?

10. What does the image of Hari Seldon tell the board was the true purpose of the Encyclopedia?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What are the political ramifications of blurring the lines between religion and ideology? Discuss the layers to the theme of religion in the novel, from creation to missionaries to apathy.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the events on Askone in terms of the traders. How have the traders shaped the Foundation? What is the correlation between the traders and the period of barbarism predicted by Hari Seldon?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss how Hari Seldon is more than just a character, but a unifying force throughout the novel. How does he embody certain themes of Foundation?

(see the answer keys)

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