View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is a suicide gene?

2. What is the name of the suit designed for walking on the surface of Mars?

3. Who attempts to portray Christ as a literary figure and is rebutted by Phyllis?

4. Who discovers John's body outside the dome?

5. Who has to take a drill simulation job?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What are the major themes of Red Mars by Robinson?

3. When Maya talks to Michel about her love life problems, how does he respond?

4. Why does Maya think she is hallucinating in the fields?

5. What do the Greens led by Sax believe?

6. Why does Nadia get furious when she sees the broken heating element?

7. What does Maya initially feel about John and Frank and their relationship?

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

9. How does Nadia lose her finger?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Red Mars, Robinson's Ares society shows a conscious selectivity about technology. What do you think of the technology that Hiroko tries to use for her own purposes? Which aspects do you find more or less appealing? How is technology associated with power and rebellion?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Politics are also referred to in the book. Robinson refers to the politics of the society of the futuristic Red Mars set during the 21st century. How do the politics Robinson describes in the book compare to that of his own world? Do you think politics are an important part of the book? How else could Robinson incorporate politics into the book? Also examine the use of politics in relationships.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 766 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample