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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 creatures start disassembling the broken monster in the Cylindrical Sea?

2. According to the Ambassador from Mercury, what is stored in a central information bank within Rama?

3. What happens as Jimmy backs away through the framework?

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

5. What danger plays from the tip of Big Horn?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10. Why are Hermians compared to Spartans?

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

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 3

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.

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