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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 long does it take Michael to bring back something he has sent away?

2. For what other occupations is Jubal educated?

3. What causes alarm in one of Michael's observers?

4. When does Jubal gather the people in the house to make plans?

5. What does Jubal do when the police arrive?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Ben ask Jill to do at the hospital and how does she do it?

2. What has Michael curious about Jill and what does she do?

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

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

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

6. Why does Ben want to meet Jill secretly?

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

8. What does Michael say about his ability to make things disappear?

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

10. How do Martians reproduce?

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

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?

Essay Topic 3

All human behavior, all human motivations, all man's hopes and fears, were heavily colored and largely controlled by mankind's tragic and oddly beautiful pattern of reproduction.

1. Why do you think human motivations and cultures would be so influenced by reproduction?

2. How do you think the animals on earth are influenced by reproduction?

3. If humans began to reproduce strictly by science how do you think that would change humanity?

(see the answer keys)

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