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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. Whose remains does Nadia find in the crater full of dead bodies?

2. Where does John go to receive a physical exam?

3. Where are the miners from that Frank talks to that belong to the American settlement?

4. Who takes a glider to see Ann in Argye Basin to investigate the destruction of the moholes?

5. What is destroyed that causes Ann to panic, fearing for the life of her son?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Frank disappear, trying to save his companions?

2. How does Ann try commit suicide?

3. What is important about maintaining a base on Mars in relationship to Earth?

4. How is the Coyote, terraforming, and sabotage linked to John?

5. What does Arkady's assertion that there are "guns under the table" foreshadow in the chapters after Part 5?

6. How does Arkady explain the need for money, depending upon the kind of world one lives in?

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

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

9. How does Phyllis's desire for money become apparent through her efforts on Mars?

10. Why do Frank and Maya argue and separate after he has a dream?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Red Mars is written primarily in the third-person point of view. Is this point of view more or less effective than telling the story from the first-person perspective?

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?

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