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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. Why does the Commander choose to land the Endeavour off-center?

2. How expensive is time on a big orbiting telescope?

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

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

5. Why is Baked Alaska mentioned in Chapter 14?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is discovered about Rama once it is photographed by the cameras released by Sita?

2. What things surprised Commander Norton about Rama while he was waiting to exit the Endeavour to explore Rama?

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

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

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

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

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

8. When do objects like 31/439 obtain a name?

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

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

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

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.

Essay Topic 3

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?

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This section contains 986 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample