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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 Jill do that wakes up Michael?

2. What does Duke brag about as far as Michael goes?

3. Who tries to get Michael to sign a contract?

4. How does Jubal Hershaw write?

5. Why does Michael have to adjust mentally and emotionally?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What happens when the police come to Jubal's?

3. What happened to the baby Mary Smith had on Mars?

4. What does Ben do to try to get to talk to Michael and how does that turn out?

5. What does Ben tell Jill about Michael's financial state?

6. What does Ben plan to do about Michael?

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

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

9. What does the book say about human behavior and reproduction?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Heinlein introduces a highly important Martian ritual, the sharing of water. This results in the creation of water brothers, people who are tightly coupled beyond the concepts of friendship and marriage.

1. Describe a human ceremony which may be a less tightly bonded version of the water brothers. Compare the two.

2. Do you think that a short ceremony, such as the sharing of water can bond people together? Why or why not?

3. How has the concept of water sharing illustrated the problems with communication between two alien cultures? Use examples from the book or history to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

In carnival slang, a blowout is an ending act that leaves the crowd impressed and willing to buy. Patty, with her extensive carnival experience, correctly identifies Michael's martyrdom as the quintessential blowout.

1. Why do you think Michael chose to end his life in this way? Use examples from the book to support your answer.

2. Do you think the way Michael died will affect the church? How?

3. How did you feel about the way Michael's friends reacted to his death?

Essay Topic 3

The argument between Duke and Jubal gives Heinlein a platform from which to explore the attitudes of the American culture.

1. How do you think other cultures view American culture? Support your view with examples.

2. Have you ever been exposed to another culture? If so, what did you think about it? Use examples from your experience to illustrate your thoughts. If you've never been exposed to another culture would you like to go to another country? Why or why not?

3. Pretend you have met aliens from another world and they are following you around for a day. Explain your day to them as to someone who has never been on this world.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,105 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample