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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 did Dubois talk about the need for in raising children?

2. What camp did Rico's father train at?

3. What does Rico say he hears the sound of?

4. Why are the troops going to Klendathu?

5. How many different castes of bugs are there?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Rico overhear Zim and Hendrick saying?

2. Why has no one committed a 9080 in Zim's training before?

3. Why has Rico's father joined the army?

4. Describe Rico's meeting with Carmencita.

5. What is the aim of the mission in the final chapter?

6. Why does the army want to punish Dillinger?

7. What does Rico think about during the thirty days mourning?

8. What was the revolt of the scientists?

9. Summarize Chapter 9.

10. Why did Dubois want corporal punishment when raising children?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why do the students think Rico's father does not want him to join the army? Is Rico reacting against his father's views? In what way will Rico become a parasite on society if peacetime continues and he is in the army? Why is an army important in Heinlein's earth if it is peacetime? Does preparing for war in peacetime encourage war to happen?

Essay Topic 2

Heinlein was in the Navy and fought in the Korean War, adhering to the rule, writers should always write about what they know. Do you think it is obvious that Heinlein knows his subject? What difference do you think it makes to the story? Are there any moments where you think Heinlein does not portray a character or setting very well? What affect does it have on the story?

Essay Topic 3

Examine Heinlein's writing style. How would you describe Heinlein's prose style? What kind of vocabulary does he use? Does he use any specific writing techniques? What meaning does Heinlein's style give to the story?

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