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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. Who is the leader of the Russian group of colonizers?

2. Who argues the team should go to the polar cap to take samples?

3. What is the love of nature called?

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

5. In what shape does the team find ice at the poles?

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 terraforming create two opposing groups at Ares?

4. Why does Maya get involved sexually with John?

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

6. Why does Selim get angry after talking to Frank about John?

7. What does Anna admit to Nadia about living in duality?

8. Why do people like Michel fail to do well on Mars, according to his theory?

9. When did people learn about life on other planets, according to the first chapter?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Certain relationships create a good foundation for the story. When Kasei asks his parents about his birth, they all interact in a very convincing manner. Describe why this relationship is believable.

Essay Topic 2

Through the main characters, Robinson offers a lens to view the government and corruption via the corporations and other groups. He describes some of the officials in Red Mars as self-serving. Describe the typical government/corporation worker in Red Mars. Do you think this is realistic and characteristic of today? Do you think the issues that Robinson discusses are still relevant today and if so, in what ways?

Essay Topic 3

Explain the significance of the novel's title. What did the author mean by calling the book Red Mars? Cite an example to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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