View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Jimmy grab off of the back of the crab-like creature?

2. What is the "striking parallel" between Rama and terrestrial zoology, according to the Ambassador from Mars?

3. Dr. Ernst cautioned Jimmy Pak to avoid something while on the trip with Dragonfly. What?

4. Where do the pieces of Jimmy's sky-bike end up?

5. What is Commander Norton doing when his executive officer notifis him of a Triple-A priority message awaiting him?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. According to Chapter 23, why is Ravi McAndrews considered one of the last people on the Endeavour to normally engage in a technical discussion?

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

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

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

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

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

8. What are some of the ways that are considered to rescue Jimmy Pak?

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

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

Exercise and fitness is an important theme in the book. Command decisions were made based on how fit or unfit the Endeavour personnel were at any given moment. Part One: Pick two characters and explain how their fitness level influenced decisions and events in the book. Part Two: Explain whether or not we are more fit or less fit than the characters in the book.

Essay Topic 2

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 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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,109 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample