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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 is Arcadia Darell doing when she is first introduced?

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

3. Why does Arcadia tell her father she was being rude to Anthor?

4. What reason does Anthor give for visiting Arcadia's house?

5. What happens to Pritchard as he has disloyal thoughts?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the Mule admit defeat? What happens after the Mule's defeat?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Asimov presents the organizations and characters in the novel in an ambiguous nature, not defining if something is officially good or bad. Please respond to the following with supporting examples from the book:

1) How does the author present an ambiguous viewpoint of the "Second Foundation?"

2) Why is the character development of Dr. Darell an example of Asimov's lack of clearly defining motives and beliefs?

3) What is Asimov's purpose in maintaining an ambiguous stance in "Second Foundation"? Does it allow the reader to make his own decisions?

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?

(see the answer keys)

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