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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. Where is Ian Malcolm giving his speech regarding extinction and complexity theory?

2. At the time of his speech in August, how old is Malcolm?

3. Where are high levels of iridium typically found?

4. According to the story, in what year does Ian Malcolm give a speech in which he states that complex animals die out because of their behavior?

5. What is the title of the speech Malcolm is giving regarding extinction and complexity theory?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. As Ed James sits outside Levine's apartment and eavesdrops on the conversation between Thorne, Malcolm, and the children, why is James embarrassed?

4. Why does the tissue sample that Malcolm sends to his contact at the zoo for analysis cause a stir at the zoo?

5. What is the "Edge of Chaos"?

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

7. Why, in Malcolm's opinion, is his extinction theory untestable?

8. The head of Biosyn dislikes Dodgson, but likes having him around. Why?

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

10. According to the Biosyn spy, why is Levine teaching a class at Woodside Junior High?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Both Dodgson and Levine arrive on Isla Sorna specifically because of their need to find the dinosaurs.

a. Compare and contrast the motivations of Dodgson and Levine.

b. How do their differing motivations impact their view of the dinosaurs, their interactions with the jungle environment, and their ability to think on their feet as the situation becomes more fluid and more deadly?

c. How are their relationships to the people they are on the island with dictated by each man's overriding goals?

Essay Topic 2

Through his research, Levine comes to believe that the lost world is located on Isla Sorna. Malcolm agrees.

a. Discuss the process by which Levine and Malcolm come to rest on Isla Sorna as the lost world's hiding place.

b. What features of the island make it a suitable candidate for their expedition? Identify at least five features of the island.

c. What is the importance of the volcano located on the island?

d. Based on the information revealed about Isla Sorna before the group embarks on their trip, would you have believed that Levine located the right island? Why or why not? Be sure to support your reasoning.

Essay Topic 3

Among those on Isla Sorna are the two stowaways, Kelly and Arby. Discuss the reasons the children decided to hide in the trailers, as well as Levine's reaction to their arrival. What role do the children serve in the larger story? Why does Crichton decide to write Kelly and Arby into the story at all? Be sure to support your answers with examples from the story.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 862 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample