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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 Diane read from Tyler's writings that surprises her?

2. What does Diane decide?

3. How does Jason feel towards Simon?

4. What type of MS does Jason seem to now have?

5. Who is Jala's ex-wife?

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 is the definition of ecopoiesis?

3. Why do you think many people, not just in this novel, but in real life, tend to turn to religion in a severe crisis?

4. How will ecopoiesis work on Mars?

5. One might be a piece of foreshadowing in this chapter?

6. Why did the NK religion end?

7. Why does Jason hire Tyler to care for him?

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

9. Describe the overall approach of the author to the plot.

10. What does Jason reveal about Perihelion's plans for Mars and why might this be significant?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Manipulation occurs on both a small scale, i.e., one person to another and on a grand scale, i.e., thousands being manipulated by a small cadre of powerful people. Discuss one the following:

Discuss a "small-scale" manipulation, i.e., how one character manipulates another character. Give specific examples and analyze motives.

Discuss a "large-scale" manipulation, i.e., how a one person or a small group of persons manipulates hundreds/thousands/millions of others . Give specific examples and analyze motives.

Compare and contrast a "real" life example of large-scale manipulation to an example of it in Spin.

Essay Topic 2

Cultural norms typically change fairly slowly, though inexorbitably over generations. Sometimes, though, a cataclysmic event will compress change so that it occurs rapidly, sometimes seemingly overnight. Spin is just such an event that spends up change. Discuss the following:

What happens to cultural norms at the time Spin first appears?

Does changes in the culture seem accelerated? Why or why not?

How has the American culture changed over the years from the time Spin first arrives to when Tyler and Diane leave Earth?

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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