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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. How long will it take Deep Thought to figure out the answer to life, the universe, and everything?

2. Where is the Heart of Gold traveling from?

3. Where do Arthur and the others escape to?

4. What type of craft does the old man have?

5. What frightens Arthur in the aircar?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Phouchg and Loonquawl react to Deep Thought's answer?

2. Did the dolphins leave mankind to its fate, or try to help?

3. Why do the mice believe the Ultimate Question they made up will sound plausable to the general public?

4. What does Arthur cause with his idle remark?

5. What is still unfinished about the New Earth?

6. What does Slartibartfast's award mean to him?

7. What species do you think is smarter than the dolphins? How do you know?

8. What do you think the meaning of life is? Is there only one answer?

9. Why did Zaphod alter his own brain?

10. Why do the philosophers object to Deep Thought? What is the computer's solution?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a fake research paper from the perspective of a mouse that discusses the results of an experiment on human scientists.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay about something in the novel that is based on something in the real world, and the connection between the fictional and real versions. Examples include the bureaucratic Vogons, the figurehead Galactic presidency, and so on.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay that lists and explains all of the references within the novel to feelings of unease with the universe and the characters within it.

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