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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. How many wives does Commander Norton have?

2. Why is Baked Alaska mentioned in Chapter 14?

3. What location has one-third as much gravity as Earth?

4. According to Chapter 9, Rama's orbit is heading directly to where?

5. How many asteroids are being discovered by PROJECT SPACEGUARD by the year 2130?

Short Essay Questions

1. SPACEGUARD computers are used for what purpose?

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

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

4. Describe what Commander Norton saw and felt when he entered Rama while tethered to a safety line.

5. What were the characteristics of the object known as 31/439 that set it apart from other asteroids?

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

7. According to Chapter 4, what unusual action was taken so that Rama could intercept Rama?

8. Describe the theories put forth to the Rama Committee about the age of Rama.

9. Compare and contrast the substance found at the bottom of the Straight Valley and the Cylindrical Sea.

10. What precautions are taken to ensure the exploration party will be safe on Rama?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Science fiction books, by creating a fictitious world, end up predicting future technological discoveries. What technologies ring true in the book, and what technologies seem either implausible or antiquated by our standards today? Pick three areas of technology and explain your position.

Essay Topic 2

Women appear to be a minority on the Endeavour. Only two women play substantive roles in the novel. Who are these two women and what are their accomplishments and/or shortcomings? Are they fully-formed characters or two-dimensional? Are they stereotypical or play against type? Compare and contrast them to two of the main characters who are male. Based on your analysis, what is the author saying about gender roles? Consider gender roles in the late twentieth century when the book was written as well as the author's apparent predictions for the future.

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.

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