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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. Henry wants to know if Charlie thinks the story about what is possible?

2. The person looking for the patent doesn't want to be left out in the cold when Rick Diehl discovers that the maturity gene does what?

3. Rick assumes the theft was orchestrated by whom?

4. Frank makes an amazing recovery, much to the surprise of his what?

5. What is Rick's last name?

Short Essay Questions

1. Brad Gordon is visited by a beautiful woman who reminds him how helpful his uncle has always been to him. To pay him back, the woman instructs Brad to contaminate the Burnet cell line at BioGen. Brad agrees. What further insight does that give into Brad's character?

2. In the prologue, the reader is introduced to a fugitive who stole embryos from his place of work, a research lab. What possible motives might the fugitive have had and do you agree with those motives?

3. When Adam's behavior suddenly changes and he goes off drugs and gets a job, Josh tells their mother about the retrovirus Adam inhaled. Then, their mother asks Josh to send some of the retrovirus to a drug-addicted son of a friend. Do you agree with that request or Josh's reaction to it? Why or why not?

4. Describe Jack Watson's reaction to the news that RIck's car was stolen and what that indicates about Watson's character.

5. How does a previous incident with Brad come up in this section?

6. Explain how Robert Bellarmino is introduced and what it could mean for future chapters.

7. Explain Roberts' sudden change of attitude at the cemetery and the results of it.

8. The book focuses on bio research, as is made clear in the prologue. What are some of the potential benefits of bio research?

9. Explain Rick Diehl's attitude regarding finding out that his wife cheated on him.

10. Do you agree with Josh's attitude when Adam inhales the retrovirus? Why or why not?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Using at least five examples from the story, explain what opinion you think Michael Crichton, the author, is trying to give about animal testing. Also, explain whether or not you share that opinion and why.

Essay Topic 2

The topic of animal testing is a sensitive one.

Part 1: Do you condone animal testing? Why or why not?

Part 2: Does your opinion of animal testing depend on which animals are being tested? For example, do you consider testing on mice acceptible, but testing on dogs or cats deplorable? What are your reasons for those opinions?

Part 3: Over all, do you think animal testing is helpful or harmful, both in the book and in real life? Use examples from the book and from real life to back up your responses.

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the book, Brad is used as a sort of means to an end. His uncle, Jack, is a major investor in BioGen, and, as a result, Brad is the security guard. Soon after Rick's car is stolen from the lot, though. Brad becomes the target of a setup. Answer the following questions about Brad:

1. What is the relationship between Brad and his uncle like? Does it change throughout the book? If so, in what way.

2. Using examples from the story, explain whether or not you feel that Brad was a mere puppet in the story or that he made conscious decisions that led him to each problem he encountered.

3. Do you feel that the story would have been jsut as good if Brad didn't exist in it? Why or why not?

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