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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 the Introduction, extinction is considered as unremarkable as what?

2. What time is it in Africa when Thorne places a phone call to the other person who will be accompanying him and Malcolm on the trip to Costa Rica?

3. Who does Malcolm contact to study the sample from the carcass he receives from Levine?

4. When Dodgson requests a meeting with the head of Biosyn, what does Dodgson tell him?

5. What does the "T' in K-T boundary stand for?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Dodgson convince the head of Biosyn to allow Dodgson one more opportunity to successfully gain the dinosaur DNA he has been seeking?

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

4. A statue of a raptor is outside the biology department at the university where Malcolm works. Why does Malcolm think the statue of the velociraptor is insulting to the raptor?

5. What is the "Edge of Chaos"?

6. Why do the other girls at school taunt Kelly?

7. According to Victorian-era scientists, what are dinosaurs like?

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

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

10. Describe at least three types of systems that complexity theory has studied.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There is no doubt that Malcolm has been greatly affected by the horrors he experienced while visiting Hammond's island. Discuss how Malcolm's past affects not only his world view, but also his decision to become involved with Levine at all. How does Malcolm's past affect his mental state, his ability to reason, his ability to trust, and his ability to be open-minded.

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the course of the novel, Levine works with two very different men in order to prepare for his expedition - and then once on the island itself. Compare and contrast the relationship Levine has with Thorne to the relationship Hammond has with Malcolm. Then, compare and contrast the two men. How do these two relationships influence not only Levine, but the events that take place on the island?

Essay Topic 3

Identify four of the members of the group invited by Levine to be part of his island expedition. Then, compare and contrast the backgrounds, experiences, and opinions of the four group members you identified. Is each member of the group necessary in order for Levine's expedition to succeed? Why or why not? Is any member of the group expendable? Why or why not?

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