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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. According to Malcolm's speech, how many species of plants and animals have existed on the planet since life began?

2. Where is the person walking with Malcolm across the open courtyard after his lecture scheduled to return to the next day?

3. Levine is interested in the islands off the Costa Rican coast. Which island houses a Club Med resort?

4. How much of Biosyn's money has Dodgson lost in his corporate espionage attempts?

5. What do complexity theorists term the behavior that is common to all complex systems?

Short Essay Questions

1. In the 1970s, why could no one answer questions regarding the fragility of the earth's ecosystem?

2. When Thorne and the children arrive at Levine's apartment, name three items that they find.

3. Why can complex systems only flourish at the "Edge of Chaos"?

4. What is the "Edge of Chaos"?

5. How does Malcolm handle the newscasts that report Malcolm's death in Costa Rica?

6. When the theory of evolution was first presented, there was very little debate. Why?

7. Why is Jack Thorne, who was once a Stanford professor, much happier away from academia?

8. As no map of the Costa Rican island exists, how is Levine conducting his reconnaissance on the island?

9. What happens in the 1970s that leads scientists to wonder if human behavior could ultimately lead to extinction?

10. Describe the type of behavior that is common to all complex systems.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The book is entitled, "The Lost World". Why does the author choose this title? How does the title foreshadow the creatures used in the novel, the events that unfold on the island, and the choice of Ian Malcolm as one of the main characters?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast Ian Malcolm and Richard Levine.

a. How are the two characters similar? How are they different?

b. Compare the role of that complexity theory plays in each of their lives. How is each character affected by this theory - both positively and negatively?

Essay Topic 3

Kelly and Arby have been extremely helpful to Levine as he has planned for his expedition. However, the children were never supposed to be on the island.

a. Discuss how the children's appearance affects the story in terms of the plot, the emotional involvement of the characters, and the abilities the children bring to the group.

b. The reaction to the children's unexpected appearance on the island was somewhat muted by the main characters. Why?

c. Why might Crichton have chosen to have these characters be children, not adults? What point is he trying to get across? Is he successful? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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