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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 model of robot is Dave from “Catch That Rabbit”?

2. Who had first taken out incorporation papers for U. S. Robot and Mechanical Men, Inc., according to the narrator in the Introduction?

3. What word from the Introduction refers to excessive growth or accumulation of any kind?

4. What surrounds the mining pool, causing danger to Speedy, in “Runaround”?

5. What is the name of Gloria’s mother in Chapter One, “Robbie”?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is discovered about the earlier generation robots in “Runaround”?

2. What theme is established in the book’s Introduction?

3. What is implied about the Interviewer in the book’s Introduction? Why is this significant?

4. What is established through the exposition in the Introduction? Who are the characters that are first introduced?

5. Where are Donovan and Powell in the beginning of “Catch That Rabbit”? What robot are they testing in this story?

6. What is the conflict established in the beginning of “Catch That Rabbit”?

7. What is indicated about the personality of Dr. Susan Calvin in the Introduction?

8. How would you describe the use of language in “Catch That Rabbit”?

9. How is the robot Cutie described in the beginning of “Reason”? What objective does he state in the beginning of the story?

10. What does Donovan do that leads to the main conflict in “Reason”?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the point of view of the narrative and the role of the narrator in the novel. How does the narrator’s point of view affect the reader? Do you empathize with the narrator? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and discuss the setting of New York in the year 2057. How has robot development evolved in Asimov’s futuristic world? Given that Asimov wrote the book in 1950, what do you make of his vision of the future? Is it realistic?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the character of Herbie in “Liar!” What is symbolized by the robot Herbie? Why are romance novels significant to the robot? What relationship does Dr. Calvin have with Herbie?

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