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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 is the love of nature called?

2. Who argues the beauty of Mars only exists in the mind?

3. How many of the final hundred that would travel to Mars as the first colonizers are Russian?

4. Who does Maya walk in the bioforest with?

5. Who is the leader of the group that wishes to forgo terraforming?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Nadia recognize that their technology is advanced and causes changes to Mars?

2. How is population size controlled within the GEM and how does it adapt to plant life?

3. How does Nadia lose her finger?

4. How is Nadia described in Part 3 as a problem solver?

5. How are the first hundred colonists selected to go to Mars?

6. What do the Greens led by Sax believe?

7. Why are GEMS made by the scientists?

8. How does Frank fool Selim, and how does Selim respond when Frank speaks badly of John to him for a second time?

9. Why is Nadia uncomfortable talking to Maya and what makes her long to escape the group?

10. Where is John's body found, and why can't Frank revive him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Robinson uses more the theme of disappointment. Identify at least two characters who either embody or experience disappointment then cite an example to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

One of the main themes in the book is ethical and social responsibility. List at least four examples where Robinson employs this specific theme. Is the battle between making ethical choices obvious or subtle? What characters are involved in this kind of battle? Do you think the right person or group won? Does good always triumph over evil in the case of Red Mars ethics?

Essay Topic 3

Love is a recurring theme in Red Mars. How does Maya's feelings about love change from the beginning of the novel to its end? In what ways has she expanded her awareness and beliefs? Is sexuality connected to love for Maya? How do her feelings for John develop and change and how does her relationship with him contrast with that of other men, such as Frank, that she has had romantic or an idealized relationship with?

(see the answer keys)

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