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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 does the order in which languages are used in making airline announcements symbolize?
(a) Educational priorities.
(b) Multicultural diversity.
(c) Class structure.
(d) Geographic patterns.

2. What irony exists in Ray Calvin's angry call to William-Matson about Childan's complaint?
(a) Calvin was aware of the truth.
(b) Childan was mastermind of the plan.
(c) Wyndam-Matson works for Childan.
(d) Calvin owns W-M Corporation.

3. What does the young driver's discovery about the character of Baynes suggest about the novel?
(a) The setting will shift to Europe.
(b) The point of view will change.
(c) The plot may move in a new direction.
(d) The main conflict is about to be resolved.

4. What best describes the territory of the Rocky Mountain States?
(a) Unpopulated.
(b) Japanese.
(c) German.
(d) Free.

5. What word best describes Childan's overall opinion of the Germans?
(a) Anger
(b) Admiration.
(c) Gratitude
(d) Distrust.

Short Answer Questions

1. What Axis power is most accepting of The Grasshopper Lies Heavy?

2. Why has Paul Kasoura come to San Francisco?

3. As Chapter 6 closes, what does the manila envelope that Frank and McCarthy receive contain?

4. How does the simile, "like a little animal, not important, but smart" describe the way Joe acts?

5. Because he is Swedish, who does Tagomi believe Mr. Baynes will probably politically favor?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the reader learn about the fate of the Slavs and Africans? In what way is Dick continuing to keep his "fiction" tied to reality? What comment might he be making about some of the realities of true USA history?

2. What is the source of the conflict Frank faces over his reading of the I Ching? How does he finally interpret this message? What does he decide as a result?

3. While at a special session about the possible candidates for the new German Chancellor, Tagomi becomes ill and leaves. What factors cause him to take the chance of being shamed by his abrupt departure?

4. One way an author can develop character is through descriptions of physical appearance and behavior. What descriptions does the author give of Wyndam-Matson? How do these descriptions reflect the way he runs his business in regard to such things as his treatment of employees, production, and such?

5. In Chapter 5, Tagomi tells Baynes that many books like the I Ching and The Bible are alive. What does he mean by this? How does this appear to be supported in the text up to the close of this chapter ?

6. 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?

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 is Childan's plan when he makes an appointment with his supplier, Ray Calvin? What does this further reveal about his character? Do you feel this is a realistic reaction?

9. How do Childan's and Frank's perception of the Germans and the Japanese differ? What motivates these views?

10. Juliana responds to the radio commentary about the potential new Chancellor by saying, "Those murderers are talked about as if they are like the rest of us." Joe responds,"There isn't anything they've done that we wouldn't have done if we'd been in their places." What does Joe mean by this? What proof has Joe offered to support his opinion?

(see the answer keys)

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