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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. What happens to the Grebulon ship's main computer?

2. How old was Ford when he was given his first towel?

3. How long are the books on the alien world where Arthur settles?

4. What number does the computer's big mental block seem to have something to do with?

5. What is in Arthur's motel room for protection against boghogs?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the Hitch Hiker's Guide do to areas where it sets up its offices?

2. What are Arthur's plans after arriving at NowWhat?

3. Who comes to find out what Ford is doing in the virtual reality?

4. What concerns Gail about her interview with Tricia?

5. What does the Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy Mk II look like?

6. What is Ford surprised to find while he's doing what he came to the virtual reality for?

7. What is the old lady at the cave doing, when Arthur comes to see her?

8. What does the first prayer that the prophet on the pole gives Arthur ask to protect him from?

9. What does Tricia think is happening when the spaceship lands in her yard?

10. Explain WSOGMM.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss social satire in the novel.

1) How does the Guide and its offices serve as social satire? How does it represent large corporations in the real world? How does the story of the failed air control system for offices compare to this satire, as a social satire of technology?

2) How do the Vogons function as social satire? What types of people and organizations do they satire? How is bureaucracy depicted?

3) What other elements of social satire are present in the novel?

Essay Topic 2

The novel is science fiction and extensively uses science ideas and concepts. Discuss the role of science in the novel.

1) What scientific concepts does the author use in the novel? What types of scientific ideas does he emphasize?

2) What is the author's view of science? How is science positive and negative? How do the characters view science and technology?

3) How does the novel fit into the science fiction genre?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the new Guide, its abilities, and its implications in the novel.

1) Why is Ford so concerned about the new Guide and its capabilities?

2) What is the new Guide? How does it operate, and why is it dangerous technology? Why does the Hitchhiker's Guide office want to develop this technology?

3) How is the Guide different from the normal characters that populate the universe? How is it different from objects, machines, and robots? Is it a being, a machine, or something else?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 840 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample