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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. For what does the Mule have Pritcher search in 1-3?

2. In 4-6, who is described as knowing that Pritchard and Channis were coming and has already arranged to arrive in Rossem?

3. Who is the last person to enter into the room where the confrontation is happening at the end of 4-6?

4. What question does Anthor ask Dr. Darell while descending the stairs in 7-9?

5. At the start of the book, who is the leader of the galaxy?

Short Essay Questions

1. What factors contribute to Channis' popularity on Kaglan?

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

3. How does Channis describe the planet that is likely to be home to the Second Foundation?

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

5. What is the Mule's motivations for finding the Second Foundation? How close has he come to this discovery?

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

7. What does Anthor ask Dr. Darell as they descend downstairs in 7-9? What is Dr. Darell's reaction?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Being the third book in the Foundation Trilogy, "Second Foundation" has many qualities that clue the reader into it being part of a series. Please respond to the following with supporting details from the novel:

1) How does Asimov include the reader into the series right from the start in his introduction to the book?

2) What events in the story are continuations from previous books in the series?

3) Is a reader able to read "Second Foundation" without having read the two previous books? How does Asimov assist in this process?

Essay Topic 2

With family members, political rulers and even one's own mind being controlled by powerful forces, paranoia plays a powerful role in the novel. Respond to the following with supporting details from "Second Foundation."

1) In what ways does the character of Pritcher exhibit extreme paranoia?

2) What are the reasons that the characters in the book are paranoid? Does the author validate these reasons by the end of the novel?

3) How does the author use a reader's real life concern about mind control to underscore the paranoia in the book?

Essay Topic 3

The literary tool of satire is employed by the author throughout the novel, using vile dictators and smug warlords for starters. Respond to the following with supporting evidence from the novel:

1) In what ways does Asimov satire governments in "Second Foundation"?

2) How does the author lampoon dictators who lust for power through the rule and downfall of the Mule?

3) What aspect of the novel's satire illustrates the author's view on his political climate?

(see the answer keys)

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