View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where is Justin from?

2. What highway does the group travel with extreme caution?

3. What is Travis' mother's job?

4. Where is the money Lauren digs up hidden?

5. What church does Bankole attend?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Lauren rejects her Baptist upbringing with her more "universal" Earthseed philosophy. Explain how Butler presents the concept of religion in the novel. Does religion seem to be a positive or negative influence? Compare and contrast the religion of Rev. Olamina with the core Earthseed beliefs.

Essay Topic 2

The America that Lauren lives in does not faced an apocalyptic event like a major terrorist attack, a war or an environmental disaster. Instead, the changes come about insidiously, over time. Explain whether you think this is realistic. What elements of American society in Lauren's world seem particularly realistic?

Essay Topic 3

Lauren says early in the novel that God might just be whatever it is that makes you feel "special and protected". She outlines various different ways people conceptualize God. For each of the following ideas of God, cite examples from the text that show people believing in this type of Deity, and explain how this belief influences the character's actions:

a. God as a "super person"--Big Daddy, Cop, King, etc.

b. God as a punisher.

c. God as Nature.

d. God as a spirit/a force/ the ultimate reality.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 281 words (approx. 1 page at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample