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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 does Jill get Michael out of the hospital?

2. How does Jubal Hershaw write?

3. What disgusts Duke about Michael?

4. Who does Jubal attempt to call?

5. For what other occupations is Jubal educated?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Jubal feel about Michael's abilities and what does he do?

3. What does Duke brag about in relation to Michael and what does Jubal tell him?

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

5. What bothers Duke about Michael and how does Jubal handle it?

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

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

8. What does Ben plan to do about Michael?

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

10. Why does Ben want to meet Jill secretly?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Michael's experience of seeing the Atlantic Ocean almost overwhelms him. The reason that water is used in ceremony on Mars is that the liquid is very scarce. Trying to fathom the immensity of an ocean is difficult for earthlings who have never experienced one, and a million times more difficult for Michael, who has not seen much more than a cup of water in his life.

1. What do you think it would be like to see something as rare as water on Mars? Use an example to support your statement.

2. When an item is in extreme abundance, it is not treated the same as rare items, e.g. gold versus water. Do you think the abundance of water on this planet contributes to humans polluting it? Why or why not?

3. What do you think would happen if the Martians discovered how much water is on Earth? Use your imagination.

Essay Topic 2

Tromp insists that Michael not only needs time to adjust physically but mentally and emotionally too.

1. Write a brief description on how you think you might feel if you were raised by non-humans and were suddenly pushed into human culture.

2. What kinds of emotional and mental adjusting do you think Michael needs? Use examples from the book to support your opinion.

3. Do you think it is realistic to believe Michael could adapt to human society given his age when he first encounters it? Explain your answer and use examples from the book to support it.

Essay Topic 3

Michael brings conflict to Mahmoud's Islamic faith, as he does to nearly every religion on Earth--except for some Eastern beliefs--astral projection and levitation for examples.

1. Why do you think Michael's existence or abilities would threaten religion? Use examples from the book and/or your own life to support your opinion.

2. Given the history of religion and "heretics" on this earth, what do you think will be the religious institutions' response to Michael? Use examples from the book and/or from history to support your answer.

3. Given Michael's scanty understanding of human society and religion, why do you think Jubal is concerned about him having contact with the Fosterites?

(see the answer keys)

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