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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 George tell Rachel, in Chapter 28, to help her deal with the news she receives?

2. Chapter 19 also describes the plight of what group of people on Shikasta?

3. Chapter 22 details a growing gap, and more hostility, between what two groups?

4. Who is writing to George in Chapter 32?

5. Who is the author of the report that comprises Chapter 31?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is reported in Chapter 19 regarding the state of religious ideologies on Shikasta?

2. How are George, Benjamin and Rachel described in Chapter 21?

3. What does George tell Rachel when she has difficulty handling the news of Naseem and Shireen's deaths?

4. What does the top-secret letter relayed in Chapter 26 say about George, Benjamin and John Brent-Oxford?

5. What is the substance of Agent 20's report, in Chapter 18?

6. What happens to Rachel as a result of her plot in Chapter 31?

7. What does Chen Liu report about George in Chapter 32?

8. Why does Rachel make the decision to follow George in Chapter 30?

9. How did the youth armies form on Shikasta?

10. Who is Suzannah?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many of the events and characters in the novel parallel events or characters from the Old Testament of the Bible. Why is that? What is the purpose of each of these characters? What message is the author attempting to convey? Why does she choose figures from Christianity, when Johor frequently dismisses Christianity as being bigoted and corrupt? Be sure to cite specific examples from the book to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

The rule of Canopus, generally speaking, is Love. How does this affect life there? How do Canopeans treat one another? How does this make Canopus different from Shikasta? How do Canopeans view Shikasta? Why? What rules do Canopean emissaries enforce in their colonies, and why? Be sure to cite specific examples from the book to support your thesis.

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