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 does the Commander think about the amount of responsibility he must shoulder on this mission?

2. According to Chapter 6, how far is the distance between Earth and Mars?

3. What does the first images of Rama prove?

4. What cities narrowly miss being destroyed in the 20th century?

5. In Chapter 3, who is the current chairman of the Space Advisory Council?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why will the equipment at Camp Alpha be left behind at the end of the exploration of Rama?

2. The Rama Committed is concerned about an ominous possibility that they consider to be likely. What is it?

3. Name two things that concerned Commander Norton about landing on Rama.

4. After the initial news media fuss, why did all the world forget about Rama, except for the astronomers?

5. What was the most mysterious characteristic of the object known as 31/439?

6. What precautions are taken to ensure the safety of the exploration crew? Why is it unnecessary to supply breathing gear on Rama?

7. Why did Commander Norton feel a kinship with a long-dead Egyptologist?

8. What are some of the problems involving having simps on board?

9. What is cocooning or mothballing, as referred to in Chapter 14?

10. Why is Commander Norton concerned about how Boris Rodrigo may react after disembarking to explore Rama?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The seven members of the Rama Committee each have a specific point of view about the situation with Rama. These points of view change as they learn more about Rama and it either supports or does not support their life's work or a cause dear to them. Pick three of the members of the Rama Committee and compare and contrast their points of view. Use examples from the beginning, middle, and end of the book to show how their points of view evolve throughout the book.

Essay Topic 2

Captain James Cook, an ancient sea captain from Earth, appears at the beginning, middle, and end of the book. Commander Norton relies on his knowledge of Captain Cook to help him make decisions. Pick two decisions that Norton made with the help of his knowledge of Captain Cook, and explain the basis for these decisions and how they relate to what Norton knows about Captain Cook.

Essay Topic 3

There are many courageous and heroic figures in the book. Sometimes heroism is accidental, sometimes it is situational, and sometimes a person is naturally heroic. Name three heroes and explain the events that proved their heroism, their personality traits, and their motivation to be heroic.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,148 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample