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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. Hub Control diagnoses the problem at the sixth small spike as resulting from what?

2. According to Chapter 36, who is on watch, sometimes for twelve hours at a time and, therefore, knows more about the geography of Rama than anyone?

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

4. When on top of the levee at the far side of the city, what concerns Norton?

5. What catches Jimmy's eye amongst the trellis of wires and rods?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Describe the first creature that is encountered on Rama.

4. Explain the supposed similarities between a termite colony and Rama.

5. Why are Hermians compared to Spartans?

6. Why is Chapter 17 entitled "Spring'?

7. Why did the Commander delay explaining the method they were going to use to Jimmy?

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

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

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

When exploring a new land, familiar names of locations are comforting to the explorers. This book is filled with locations on extraterrestrial planets and on Rama that are named for locations we are familiar with on Earth. How does the use of these locations influence the reader? Compare and contrast three of these locations and explain how the usage of these locations contributes to the reader's understanding.

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

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.

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