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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. How long after the October Event does E.D. Lawton reveal the truth to Jason about the event?

2. How does Jason feel towards Simon?

3. What does Jason ask of Tyler?

4. What is the first "casualty" of the October Event?

5. At what are Diane and Tyler looking?

Short Essay Questions

1. What might be a possible reason that the end of the story is given at the beginning of the novel?

2. What does Tyler and Ina talk about and what does Ina say?

3. Why does Diane leave Tyler in the hotel room?

4. Why is the one Russian cosmonaut that makes it back to Earth alive after Spin considered crazy?

5. What is the first "casualty" of the event that comes to be known as "Spin" and what is one consequence of this casualty?

6. How does Jason giving Simon a ride in his Ferrari so that they can get a part for their broken car show the contrast between Jason and his sister, Diane?

7. What is the Chinese response to Spin and how would you interpret that?

8. What is the definition of ecopoiesis?

9. What movement does Diane belong to and how is that movement characterized? How is the behavior of the movement ironic?

10. What disease does Tyler say Jason has and what are the implications?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Religious cults exist in this story and in "real" life. Discuss one of the following:

How does the appearance of Spin affect conventional and non-conventional religious institutions?

Is joining a religious cult a healthy or unhealthy way of dealing with Spin? Explain fully with examples.

Compare and contrast how a cult in this story is similar to a cult that has existed in "real" life.

Essay Topic 2

The chapter titled "No Single Thing Abides" suggests both a major theme in the book and perhaps in "real" life. Discuss one of the following:

Is anything absolute in Spin? In life? Explain fully with examples.

The events in Spin suggests that all is transitory, a theme that has been expounded by numerous religious groups both in Spin and the real world. Do you think the essence of nature is that all things pass away eventually? Why or why not?

How could the perspective that all is transitory impact your life if it is true? How could it change the way you respond to both tragedy and good luck? Explain fully with examples.

Essay Topic 3

Scientists believe Spin is artificially created by a technologically superior Alien race. Discuss the following:

What are some of the reasons people believe Spin has occurred? How many of those reasons seem possible? Why?

Is it "right" for an alien species to make the decision to create Spin without first consulting the governments of Earth? Why or why not?

Do you think it is more comforting to believe Spin is a natural phenomenon, a technological phenomenon, or an act of God? Explain your response.

(see the answer keys)

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