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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 do Lauren and her father have in common?

2. Who else besides Lauren does not cry over Keith's death?

3. Why does Cory think the family should move to Olivar?

4. What is Keith allowed to do with the BB gun?

5. What does Keith come back with the next time he runs away?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Lauren think it is a mistake to take Emery and Tori with them?

2. Why doesn't the emergency bell ring when the neighborhood is attacked?

3. Why do Paints set fire to the park?

4. Why do Aura Moss and Michael Talcott leave their classes?

5. What doesn't Lauren tell Curtis by Chapter 13?

6. What is the story of the parable of the importunate widow?

7. Why do Travis and Zahra leave their employer?

8. Why does Lauren's stepmother say she prefers the city lights?

9. What's causing the chaos after the earthquake?

10. What two things show how important the baptism is to the adults in the community?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the Biblical parable of the sower and describe how it is an allegory for what happens in the novel.

a. How does the message of the Parable relate to Lauren's efforts to convert others to her Earthseed philosophy?

b. Why do you think Butler chooses this as the title for the book?

c. In general, how is organized religion portrayed in the lives of characters in the book? Does it seem to have more of a negative or positive influence on people's lives?

Essay Topic 2

The lives of children in Butler's dystopic vision in not a very positive one. Explain how the social conditions of the time affect the lives of the following children:

a. Amy Dunn.

b. Tori Solis.

c. Dominic.

d. Doe Mora.

e. Justin Mohr.

Essay Topic 3

Lauren has a dream in the first chapter about flying and facing a major obstacle. Describe this dream, and then explain its symbolism in the context of the novel. What themes does this dream foreshadow?

(see the answer keys)

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