View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where does Jill hide a tape recorder in Michael's room?

2. What does Jill think when Michael expresses his curiosity?

3. What does Ben decide to do after he watches the interview on television?

4. What does Douglas find out at the Council Chamber?

5. How do Martians begin life?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who went to Mars 25 years before the beginning of this book and what happened to them?

2. What is Michael curious about after watching the Fosterites on television and what does Jubal find out?

3. Why did Captain Tromp take Michael to the medical center?

4. What is grokking and how did Michael learn it?

5. What does Ben do with a tape of Michael's room and what is on it?

6. What happens to Ben after he leaves the hospital?

7. How many levels of his being can Michael control and what does he do in a dormant state?

8. What does Captain Tromp do with Michael when he returns to earth?

9. How does Jill get Michael out of the hospital and where do they go?

10. What does Gillian give Michael and what does he insist she do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Martians are not human, nor can they ever be due to their detached sexuality. This could mean that if they ever get around to grokking humans, the Martians may decide that the universe is better off without us, a theme sometimes thought of in our own society.

1. What reasons do you think the Martians might find to kill off the human race? Use examples from the book and your life to support your position.

2. You are a Martian and a member of the council deciding on the fate of humans. Write an essay convincing the other members the human race is worth saving.

3. Do you believe two alien races, who are as different from each other as the "Martians" and humans could ever understand each other? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Michael's church services are patterned after carnival acts but do include traditional symbolism from several theologies. The whole idea is to entertain and sell the church simultaneously, and the technique works.

1. What might be the similarities between Michael's church and some of the modern churches today?

2. Would you prefer a church that was more entertaining? Why or why not?

3. How do you think the people in America today would react if a church like Michael's became big news?

Essay Topic 3

Truth can be related to belief in this way, where the act of belief makes something true for most practical purposes. Mrs. Douglas believes in Madame Vesant, therefore what she says is truth to Mrs. Douglas.

1. How do you think beliefs and truth relate to each other? Use examples from the book and/or your own life to support your opinion.

2. Do you think if someone believes something strong enough it will become true? Why or why not? Use examples from the book and/or your life to support your opinion.

3. If someone believes something to be true do you think facts can change his/her belief? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,031 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample