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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 subject does Seldon wish he studied?

2. What part of Trantor does Clowzia hate being on?

3. What is Rogen Benastra's position?

4. What kind of travel became possible 20,000 years ago?

5. Which of the following phrases does Demerzel use to describe Seldon?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do Mycogenians have no population increase?

2. How could Randa have accidentally let Seldon down?

3. What does Leggen tell Venabili about Seldon and his disappearance?

4. Why does Seldon find it hard to believe that the Galactic Empire is dying?

5. Why does Hummin think Leggen is responsible for Seldon's disappearance?

6. How does Randa offer to help Seldon?

7. Why does Hummin tell Seldon not to show any distaste for Trantorian food?

8. Why does Hummin think he can help Seldon?

9. How do Demerzel and Cleon's views of Seldon differ?

10. Who is Hari Seldon?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

PRELUDE TO FOUNDATION is part of the science fiction genre.

1. What are the conventions of the genre in terms of character, language and plot?

2. In what way did the Foundation series help to set the template for similar novels? Does modern science fiction still use the ideas the author uses in Prelude to Foundation?

Essay Topic 2

Compare Seldon's character to the person he was when he first set sail to the person he is at the end of the book.

1) What did Seldon hope to achieve at the beginning of the novel?

2) What events changed Seldon's ideas about life?

3) How has Seldon's character changed by the end of the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the author's life. In what way are his life and personality reflected in the book? Where could he have learned about the world of science? In what ways is he like or unlike the main character?

(see the answer keys)

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