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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. Who stops the Rossem elders' discussion?

2. On what planet does the novel begin?

3. According to the Rossem elders, with what does Tazenda provide Rossem?

4. What reason does Arcadia give to know that her father was expecting a visitor?

5. How does Channis gain the upper hand against the Mule in their confrontation on Rossem?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Arcadia's reaction when she sees the man at her window?

2. Why does Pritchard pull a gun on Channis? What are his reasons for accusing Channis of this crime?

3. Who is the leader of the Galaxy and how did this leader rise to power?

4. Why does Dr. Darell scold Arcadia when he enters her room at the beginning of 7-9?

5. What do Dr. Darell and Anthor do for the week after Anthor's arrival? How does this help with Anthor's disguise?

6. In 1-3, what reason does the Mule give Channis about his assurance that the mythical Second Foundation really exists?

7. Why does Anthor want everyone at the meeting in 7-9 to get their brains scanned?

8. What reasons does the Mule give for believing that the Second Foundation was not on Tazenda judging by Channis' reactions?

9. Why does the Mule choose Channis to accompany Pritcher on the assignment of finding the Second Foundation?

10. How does the opening of "Second Foundation" help the reader understand events that have occurred earlier in the trilogy?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

It is difficult to define a standout hero or villain in "Second Foundation" because the author does not present such a figure to the reader. Please respond to the following with supporting evidence from the story:

1) What character is the most like a hero in the story? What happens at the end of the novel to make the reader think otherwise?

2) The Mule is presented to be a villain. His motivation to further the Seldon Plan is one of the few representations of a valid motive in the story. What is the author saying about societies' views on misunderstanding other people?

3) How is the Second Foundation simultaneously represented as a protagonist and antagonist in the book?

Essay Topic 2

The Second Foundation is a powerful yet hidden organization that the title of the book is derived from. Please respond to the following with supporting examples from the novel:

1) How does the author represent the magnitude of influence the Second Foundation has on the galaxy?

2) Why does the Second Foundation's status of hidden and secret add to its power and influence?

3) Is the Second Foundation represented as good or bad force? Why?

Essay Topic 3

During the 1940s and 1950s, both the United Sates and the USSR struggled to achieve dominance in their area of the globe. Asimov uses this scuffle for power as inspiration for the novel. Respond to the following with supporting examples from the book:

1) How does Asimov parallel the dominance of the Mule with that of the USSR?

2) Why do the geographic locations of the Foundation and the Mule mimic that of the United States and the USSR?

3) What is Asimov's purpose in making comparisons to that point in history with his novel?

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