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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 has UNOMA approved that makes Sax believe security should be increased?

2. On the fourteenth day of the revolution, what asteroid is blown up?

3. Who escapes on an elevator when the cable is destroyed?

4. What group is blocking communications while Nadia tries to repair water mains?

5. Who does John consider a brother but argues with him over politics?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Frank negotiate for the treaty on Mars, and how do Maya and others respond to his efforts?

3. How is Ann reunited with her son?

4. When riots begin in Mars, what does Frank discover as the city is in revolution?

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

6. How does it does become clear that the terraforming effort is not working as planned, affecting Mars in destructive ways?

7. What does John's role as a strong figure in the revolution give hope for?

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

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

10. What are Helmut's motivations for working on Mars?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

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 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 842 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample