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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 the name of the time period when the story takes place?

2. Why isn't Jiz initially able to get on board the Nomad after it blasts off?

3. How large is the Times Square jaunte stage?

4. According to Dagenham, what is the salvage on board the Nomad that is so valuable?

5. What incident brings Jaunte to discover his "effect"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What seems to be the initial impetus for someone to jaunte, but is later found to be unnecessary?

2. What is the relationship between Presteign and Dagenham?

3. What happens to Foyle after he is able to leave the Sargasso Asteroid?

4. What happens as Foyle attempts to leave the asteroid with the safe from the Nomad?

5. What ultimately happens to Sam in Chapter 6, and how does it happen?

6. What kind of advice does Jisbella McQueen give Foyle when they discuss on the Whisper Line?

7. What is the truth about Foyle and Jiz's escape from the Gouffre Martel?

8. Describe Foyle's existence as he is trapped on board the Nomad.

9. Describe the steps Foyle takes in activating the Nomad's engines.

10. What motivates Foyle to save himself at the close of Chapter 1?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Robin Wednesbury and Presteign are both key characters in the novel. Both of them will play key roles in Foyle's life. Symbolically, they represent two ends of the spectrum showing how external characters can display the internal characteristics of Foyle. Discuss how Robin and Presteign show the duality of the forces at work in and around Foyle. Point out how their nature and temperament contrast each other. Also discuss how Foyle's fate is somehow bound up in these two characters.

Essay Topic 2

Fourmyle's Four Mile Circus is encamped in what is known as Old St. Pat's, what was once St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. Discuss the irony of this group taking up residence in what was once a church, being mindful of what the Circus represents. Explain why the Circus is such an attraction to the people in the culture. Is it an escape? An ideal to be emulated? Evidence of the culture's depravity? Or something else entirely?

Essay Topic 3

In the last chapter of the book, Bester attempts something close to transcendence. The reader is faced with the questions: What does all this mean? What ultimately happened to Foyle? What will potentially happen to mankind? Is Foyle the "messiah? Answer these questions in detail, with the understanding that your answers are very subjective.

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This section contains 840 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample