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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 does Victor free himself from VJ's guard?

2. Who do the police believe murdered Gephardt?

3. What behavioral problem does VJ have at school?

4. What does VJ say about Philip?

5. What day does Chapter 12 take place?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Victor and Marsha decide about VJ?

2. What is the result of Marsha's discussion with her colleagues about VJ during Chapter 9?

3. What does Marsha learn about Richie Blakemore?

4. What are Victor's feelings about Marsha's attitude toward what they discover about VJ?

5. How do VJ and Victor interact, when they go to VJ's lab in Chapter 13?

6. What does Victor finally admit to his wife in Chapter 9?

7. Why does VJ let his father out of imprisonment?

8. How did Janice feel about VJ?

9. What happens to Sharon Carver at the end of Chapter 9?

10. What happens to Victor when he's searching the clock tower?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the settings of the novel.

1) Discuss the setting of the Chimera compound. How does the size of the compound affect the story? How does the security of the compound affect the story?

2) Discuss the setting of the clock tower and river. What do the clock tower and river add to the tone and mood of the story? How do they help the plot of the story to develop?

3) How do the time the novel is set in and the time period the novel was written in affect it? Will the novel continue to be relevant as time passes?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the idea in the novel of special privilege for the gifted.

1) Why does Victor believe that VJ should have special privileges? What special privileges does Victor want for VJ?

2) Why does Marsha disagree with Victor about special privileges for VJ, and to what extent? What are Marsha's arguments?

3) What does the author imply about the danger of special privileges for the gifted?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss hubris in the novel.

1) In what ways is Victor taking on the role of a god? Do his actions reflect hubris? Why or why not?

2) How does VJ mimic Victor in his genetic work? Does VJ also show hubris? Does VJ consider himself a kind of god?

3) What is the line between scientific advancement and hubris? How can it be judged when science is going too far? How does the novel address these issues?

(see the answer keys)

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