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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. In Chapter 26, what potential danger concerns Jimmy as he begins his adventure?

2. According to Chapter 37, Mercury sends a missile to Rama, which stops fifty kilometers from Rama to do what?

3. What creatures start disassembling the broken monster in the Cylindrical Sea?

4. What is the seating order of the delegates from the United Planets?

5. Where is Jimmy trying to land the Dragonfly in order to assure his survival?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Norton order the Revolution to return to shore as quickly as possible after seeing the giant starfish?

2. Why is it the case that some planets in the solar system are not represented in the United Planets?

3. Why did Jimmy Pak approach the crab-like creature?

4. Who is the only member of the crew that seems comfortable with the sights now illuminated on Rama?

5. How does Commander Norton feel about Boris Rodrigo's request to send a priority message to the Mother Church?

6. Why is it necessary for the sailors on the Resolution to keep their heads above water if the boat capsizes?

7. What was different about the atmosphere after the ice thawed and the lights came on?

8. Why does Jerry Kirchoff make facetious comments to Norton and Rousseau in Chapters 36 and 37?

9. Commander Norton speculates about the origin of the lights on Rama. What are some of his theories?

10. Why is "Dragonfly" a good name for Jimmy Pak's sky-bike?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 3

There is much emphasis on ecology, recycling, degradation of the environment, and the creation of pollutants on Rama because it is a closed system. At the time the book was written the recycling movement was in its infancy in the United States and Europe. How might this book reflect the point of view of the author and his contemporaries about recycling and ecology? What are the positive and negative aspects of ecology and recycling as symbolized by the environment on Rama?

(see the answer keys)

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