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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 Axis power is most accepting of The Grasshopper Lies Heavy?
(a) Germany.
(b) Italy.
(c) Hungary.
(d) Japan.

2. What other name does the I Ching go by?
(a) The Oracle.
(b) The Justification Committee.
(c) The Reich.
(d) The Mission of Inquiry.

3. What is Wyndam-Matson certain of when he hears Calvin's complaint?
(a) Childan is only looking for money.
(b) Calvin will go to the police.
(c) Frank and McCarthy are behind this.
(d) He will never be found out.

4. At the start of Chapter 6, Juliana attributes the healthier appearance of the Germans as depicted in a magazine article as proof of _____________.
(a) A rigid military training.
(b) Effective propaganda techniques.
(c) Technological advancements.
(d) A healthier diet.

5. What is discovered as being the source of W-M Corporation's real profit?
(a) Inferior construction materials.
(b) Fake antique guns.
(c) Imitation Chinese artifacts.
(d) Counterfeit war bonds.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the mystery client encourage Childan to report?

2. What does Frank decide to do as a result of the Oracle's message?

3. What best describes the territory of the Rocky Mountain States?

4. How does the discussion between Joe and Juliana, inspired by Abendsen's novel, leave Juliana feeling?

5. What word best describes Wyndam-Matson's reaction when Rita tells him about The Grasshopper Lies Heavy?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 3, what suggestion is the author making by putting Hitler in a sanitarium and then noting that the present world in this novel is the product of his mind? What similarities are seen in the thoughts of Juliana and Baynes to support this view?

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

3. 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?

4. Wyndam-Matson and his girlfriend get into a long discussion about historicity. What is historicity? What point does Wyndam-Matson make about it? How is this idea supported in the novel?

5. What do we learn about the German impact on television production and programming in Chapter 6? Of what significance is this to the storyline?

6. Despite initiating a relationship with Joe, whom she finds attractive, Juliana begins to feel uncomfortable around him. Why? What might this be foreshadowing?

7. In Chapter 1, the author introduces the characters of Mr. Tagomi and the Kasouras as clients of Childan through the juxtaposition of conversations he has with each. What do we learn about each as a result? How do these clients compare?

8. In Chapter 5, what is further learned about the book The Grasshopper Lies Heavy from Rita's conversation with Wyndam-Matson? How does this conversation create a conflict between them?

9. 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?

10. The voice of the radio quotes from The Bible, "What profit it a man if he gain the whole world but in this enterprise lose his soul?" How does this apply to what we have witnessed of this world in Chapter 1?

(see the answer keys)

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