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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 is unusual about object 31/439?

2. What is the expected effect of an matter-antimatter reaction?

3. What is a light curve?

4. When the Commander enters Rama, what does he see in the light of the flare?

5. Rama is compared to what ordinary object?

Short Essay Questions

1. According to Chapter 5, what does the exploration party think of the design of Rama? How does this affect their EVA mission?

2. What do believers in the Pandora movement believe in?

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

4. What did Dr. Stenton discover about Rama after he processed the results from viewing the asteroid with a big orbiting telescope?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rendezvous with Rama is a novel filled with suspense and mystery. Part One: What are the three most suspenseful events in the novel ? Describe the three events that kept you on the edge of your seat, breathless to find out what was going to happen. Did you predict the outcome correctly or did you have no idea what would happen next? Part Two: What are the three biggest mysteries in the novel? Was the mystery ever fully revealed, or does mystery remain? If the author left questions unanswered, what purpose does it serve in the novel?

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

Leadership when in a difficult situation is important to a successful outcome. Commander Norton has a definite leadership style. What is it and how does he express it? What seems to be his biggest concern when making decisions? What seems to be his motivation? Pick three decisions he made that show his leadership style and explain what his decision was and whether or not you agree with what he did. If you do not agree, what action would you have taken instead?

(see the answer keys)

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