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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is Childan in the business of selling?
(a) Local modern art.
(b) Abandoned real estate.
(c) Japanese made souvenirs.
(d) Historic American artifacts.

2. What does Frank's question to the I Ching about Juliana suggest?
(a) He wants to avenge her captor.
(b) He regrets putting wealth above her love.
(c) He wishes they were still together.
(d) He feels ashamed he never approached her.

3. Because he is Swedish, who does Tagomi believe Mr. Baynes will probably politically favor?
(a) Japanese.
(b) No-one.
(c) Americans.
(d) Germans.

4. What image set forth in The Grasshopper Lies Heavy seems to upset Joe the most?
(a) Italy as a traitor.
(b) Japan as greedy.
(c) Germany as a hero.
(d) The USA as a weakling.

5. Why does Childan send samples of his merchandise to the university?
(a) To verify his client's accusations.
(b) To establish a new clientèle.
(c) To identify fingerprints on them.
(d) To save on shipping fees.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Tagomi feel it would be better if his assistant, Ramsey, selected the gift for Baynes?

2. What word would sum up Frank's opinion of McCarthy?

3. In Chapter 6, what does Juliana realize Joe has done when she returns to her apartment?

4. What does Baynes say they must wait for before he and Tagomi can meet?

5. What does the young driver's discovery about the character of Baynes suggest about the novel?

Short Essay Questions

1. In the novel's society, outward appearance is an important part of being accepted. How is this reflected through the characters of Childan and Tagomi as they prepare for important meetings? Do you think there is truth in this practice even today?

2. What new insight does Chapter 5 give the reader into the character of Baynes? What might this be foreshadowing?

3. While consulting the I Ching, Frank thinks of how "his life was bound up with all other lives and particles in the universe." What does this mean? How might it be applied to Chapter 1 and serve as foreshadowing for the rest of the novel?

4. Chapter 1 introduces the setting of the novel as being in San Francisco twenty years after World War II. What signs are there that there has been a different outcome to this war from the history as we know it?

5. When told by the university that "there is a regular industry turning out these fakes," Childan gets angry and insists that this is only a rumor. Why is he in such denial even when the proof lies before him?

6. Bigotry is common and accepted without question in the former United States of Philip Dick's world. How does the author reveal this? What seems to be the reason behind this?

7. What appears to be the source of Juliana's depression at the start of Chapter 3? Why might this be considered to be ironic?

8. What do we learn about Hawthorne Abendsen, the author of The Grasshopper Lies Heavy? How does Juliana feel about this novel as compared to Joe?

9. Compare the reactions of Childan, Calvin and Wyndam-Matson to the discovery of the fake guns. What point does the author seem to be making about the business world as he sees it?

10. How does Baynes react to Tagomi's apartment? How do his thoughts and reactions to Tagomi's possessions and comments further define his character?

(see the answer keys)

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