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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 does Pritchard say that Channis would do after being hired by the Mule?

2. How do the Rossem elders describe Tazenda?

3. What is Pritcher's reaction when Channis says that the Mule does not know where they are going?

4. Why are the Rossem elders so excited at the beginning of 4-6?

5. What type of lifestyle does Channis describe the people of Rossem leading?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. In 4-6, how does the Mule know that Channis is a Second Foundationer?

6. When Pritchard grows fearful and begins to think about his life before the Mule conditioned his mind, how does he react?

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

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

9. Toward the end of 1-3, what does the technician find in the ship and what is Channis' response?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Isaac Asimov has had substantial influence in the modern world due to his widely known written works of both nonfiction and fiction. Please respond to the following with supporting facts:

1) How did Asimov's childhood influence his career choice?

2) How did Asimov's career as a science professor influence his choice to write science fiction?

3) What examples of Asimov's beliefs are evident in "Second Foundation"?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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