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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 surprises Arcadia at the beginning of 7-9?

2. Channis tells Pritchard that Tazenda is the Second Foundation because Rossem views Tazenda how?

3. When does Pritchard grow fearful in 4-6?

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

5. Why would the Second Foundation not altar Pritchard's mind after arriving on Rossem according to Channis?

Short Essay Questions

1. In 7-9, what reasons does Arcadia give that she has knowledge that her father is expecting a visitor?

2. How do the Rossem elders react to the arrival of Pritchard and Channis?

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

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

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

6. During the confrontation on Rossem, in what trap does Channis catch the Mule?

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

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

9. What are Channis' reasons for telling Pritchard that his mind has been tampered with by the Second Foundation in 4-6? Why would the Second Foundation leave Pritchard's feeling of loyalty?

10. What is the history of Han Pritcher and how does this character remember his past?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Asimov is a leading author in the literary genre of science fiction and his novel "Second Foundation" is an example of his work that fits into this category. Respond to the following with supporting examples from the story:

1) How does the setting of the novel reflect elements of science fiction?

2) How does the technology featured in the novel reflect attributes of science fiction?

3) In what ways does science fiction allow Asimov to write about events featured in "Second Foundation"?

Essay Topic 2

Trust is the foundation on what relationships are built and the characters in "Second Foundation" experience many examples of doubt and double-cross. Please respond with supporting examples to the following:

1) How does the issue of trust affect the lives of the characters before the downfall of the Mule?

2) How does the issue of trust affect the lives of the characters after the downfall of the Mule?

3) Does Asimov imply that there really is no true level of trust that can be achieved between people as is portrayed in "Second Foundation"?

Essay Topic 3

There is confusion throughout the novel on whether or not a character is acting upon their own free will or by the manipulations of a controlling force. Please respond to the following with supporting evidence from the story:

1) Arcadia is a rebellious teenager who acts upon her own desires and yet it is revealed that she has been under the influence of the Second Foundation since being a baby. Has her free will been her own or a part of the Second Foundation's conditioning?

2) How does Asimov use the character of the Lieutenant from Kalgan to prove that free will is a fallacy in the society of "Second Foundation"?

3) What is the author's purpose in portraying free will as something that might just be part of a larger influential control?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 958 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample