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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 surprises Commander Norton as he approached Rama for the rendezvous?

2. In Chapter 12, Norton notices something remarkable as he is exploring. What is it?

3. What is the main tenet of the Fifth Church of Christ?

4. Where is Dr. Bose born?

5. In Chapter 5, what streams from the newly-opened pillbox "like dazzling diamonds as the brilliant sunlight caught them"?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Describe the devastation that occurred on September 11, 2077.

3. What was the initial response to the catastrophic destruction of 2077?

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

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

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

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

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

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

10. Is Professor Davidson interested in finding out more about Rama?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Captain Norton has two wives living on two worlds. These women never appear in the book but their existence provides an important contribution to the book. Why did the author include letters to the wives in this book and how do these letters and the existence of these women serve the writing of the book?

Essay Topic 2

People in power are sometimes accused of seeing the small picture at the expense of the big picture and may make decisions that are good for a small number of people or for the short run and are bad for humans in general or for the long term. Who follows this pattern in the book, or the opposite pattern? Give one example of each type of behavior and compare and contrast their actions. Be sure to follow their pattern of behavior from the beginning to the end of the book and show if they learned anything, or are likely to have learned anything, based on the events in the story.

Essay Topic 3

There are several references in the novel to "ancient" history from the twentieth century and before. Name five different references to ancient history and explain their contribution to the meaning of the story. Why is the author choosing to write about these particular historical events, facts, characters, or customs?

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