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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. Which investigators really work for transnationals?

2. What is Ann's son waiting for to take him away to safety from the cracked dome?

3. What is the name of the town that contains the mohole?

4. Who is overwhelmed with grief upon hearing of the death of John Boone?

5. Who blames herself/himself for the death of the person that rescues the rover that is run aground?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does John have conflicting feelings about terraforming and transnationals?

2. What is the significance of the stone eye teeth?

3. How is John revealed as a complex personality in Part 5?

4. How does Simon reveal himself to be a strong force when he gets angry with Ann?

5. How does Nadia emerge as a heroine during the revolution through her work?

6. Why are the primary hundred going to be executed?

7. How does Ann try commit suicide?

8. Why does Ann crumble in mental stability as the destruction of Mars occurs?

9. After Frank's office is flooded with immigrants, why does he decide to go to Phyllis for help?

10. How are the shifting political agendas on Earth reflected in the mining efforts on Mars and how does this affect John?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

John and Frank are two of the most active characters in the settlement of the Ares colony on Mars.

Part 1) What is their relationship? How do they co-exist and how do they interact? What is similar about them and what is different?

Part 2) What are some events that John had a direct influence upon? What are some events that Frank had a direct influence upon?

Part 3) Which character offers support to the group? Which one is stronger and why?

Essay Topic 2

Compare "Red Mars" with another of Robinson's other books in his Mars trilogy. Which is, in your opinion, better? Explain. What future scenarios might you want to see in upcoming books? Which characters would you like to see portrayed? Why?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 902 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample