View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How are the cities on Shikasta constructed?

2. What do the Canopean emissaries sometimes do?

3. In Chapter 8, Britain and other European countries are blamed for what?

4. What happens to the Natives when Shikasta is cut off from the Lock?

5. Why is Rohanda renamed Shikasta?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Johor notice about the Natives upon his return to Shikasta after 30,000 years?

2. Who is Taufiq?

3. What does Johor do when he finds Ben and Sais in Chapter 6?

4. What event in Chapter 9 parallels a story from the Old Testament?

5. What period of Shikastan history is covered by the reports in Chapter 9?

6. What is the "Age of Ideology"?

7. What does Johor report regarding Taufiq in Chapter 7?

8. What was the ceremony that Canopean emissaries brought to Ireland?

9. What is the main Canopean ideology?

10. Who was the first individual introduced in Chapter 11, and what would John Brent-Oxford have done for her as a lawyer?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ben is a friend of Johor's who reincarnates with him to help Johor accomplish his mission on Shikasta. How does Ben know Johor? What is his role in helping Johor to accomplish his mission? What was their relationship once they arrived on Shikasta? How was Benjamin different from Johor? What role was he supposed to play in Shikasta's future, and why? Be sure to cite specific examples from the book to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

The description of the British in this novel is very negative. Why are they portrayed in such a derogatory fashion? What do they do wrong? How do they interact with citizens of other places? What can we infer about the author's attitude toward the British people, based on the manner in which they are described in the novel? Be sure to cite specific examples from the book to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

The mock trial is one of the most important events in the novel. Who stages the trial? Who is being prosecuted, and why? Who are the defense and prosecuting attorneys? What arguments are made at the trial? How does the trial end? What is the final result of the trial? Does it change anything in Shikastan society? If so, what? Be sure to cite specific examples from the book to support your thesis.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 897 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample