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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 knocks over the equipment left behind at evacuation from hurricanes?

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

3. If the Hermian bomb is detonated, what creates the biggest problem for the survival of the Endeavour?

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

5. When explorers return after 48 hours, what surprise awaits on Rama?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why is Jimmy Pak able to remain calm as he struggles to land the sky-bike?

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

4. How is it possible that the spider-like creature sneaks up on Norton, Rodrigo, Calvert, and Ernst while they are watching the evening news telecast?

5. Why is Chapter 27 entitled, "Electric Wind"?

6. Describe the flower that Jimmy Pak finds on Rama.

7. What are some of the ways the Commander considered to travel to the South Pole?

8. Why does the exobiologist, Dr. Perera, feel mortified at the beginning of Chapter 19?

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

10. Explain the differences Jimmy Pak observed in the southern and northern ends of Rama.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Space stations exist in reality currently, and in the novel the characters are familiar with space stations as well. Rama is considered by some as somewhat like a space station, but also different. Compare and contrast Rama's characteristics with real space stations that exist today and space stations as they exist in the book at the time of discovery of Rama. What characteristics do they share and in what ways are they different?

Essay Topic 2

The Fifth Church of Christ is mentioned several times in the novel. The belief system is both respected and disrespected in the book. Part One: Pick two examples of respect for religion and two examples of disrespect for religion; compare and contrast them. Part Two: Explain if these positions on religion are equally balanced or if the author comes down more heavily on one side or the other, and how that contributes to the meaning of the story.

Essay Topic 3

The entire world of Rama is ostensibly created by beings that the explorers never meet, but based on the world they explored, the crew of the Endeavour, the officials, and the rest of the humanity make guesses and assumptions about what Ramans are or would be like. Describe your idea of what Ramans are like--their physical appearance, culture, and way of thinking. Back up your ideas with facts from the book.

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