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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. How fast do the Perfectly Normal beasts travel?

2. What creates the signal that Ford homes in on to arrive at the planet?

3. What does Tricia make a model of on the alien computer system on Rupert?

4. How far away is Arthur, while the Guide projects holographic images for Random?

5. What type of solution does Ford look for, to get himself and the Guide out of the thirteenth floor of the Guide offices?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Ford worried about the new Guide?

2. How does the interview between Tricia and Random go?

3. How does Ford suggest getting off Arthur's new home planet?

4. What do Ford and Arthur talk about as they ride the Perfectly Normal Beast away?

5. What does Tricia learn when she calls her television station from the editing booth?

6. What sort of review does Ford give the Bar & Grill?

7. What comes out of the trees toward Random, as she goes through the woods?

8. What does the new Guide demonstrate with a laser and the rain?

9. What worries Ford about what's happened during his visit to the Guide?

10. How does Ford get the new Guide out of the Guide offices?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the role of fate and free will in the novel.

1) Do the characters in the novel have free will? Do their circumstances and personalities force them into specific roles and choices?

2) Does the existence of the new Guide eliminate free will?

3) How does the existence of multiple dimensions, representing different potential realities, relate to fate and free will? If all possibilities exist, is there any real choice or free will?

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 communication in the novel.

1) What types of failures of communication appear in the novel? How do Ford and Arthur fail to communicate with each other?

2) How do Arthur and Random fail to communicate with each other? Why does Random have such difficulty communicating?

3) What is the relationship between differing perspectives and failed communication in the novel?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 869 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample