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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 is the name of the first Chinese fighting group that Laks encounters?

2. What is the the giant conical mound made of that Saskia sees when she and the other guests arrive at an industrial park just past the Johnson Space Center?

3. Who does Lan Lu mean in English, according to the book?

4. What is the party favor that T.R. gives to his guests at the end of their time at Flying S Ranch?

5. Where in the Flying S Ranch complex does Rufus set up his trailer?

Short Essay Questions

1. In the chapter titled "The Barracks," How does Laks' fighting crew trap Lan Lu's crew to secure the main levels of the barracks?

2. On the train ride out to West Texas, how does Rufus explain to Alastair that Comanches "won" the war in the larger sense?

3. How is it that there is fighting but no guns at the Line of Actual Control?

4. Where does Saskia spend her time waiting out the hurricane in Houston?

5. In Rufus' interview with T.R. what seals the deal for T.R. in wanting to hire Rufus to work out at Flying S Ranch?

6. Why is the Brazos River campsite overflowing with people?

7. In the chapter titled "The Storm," how does a sulfur launch site in Papua seem like an opportunity to Sister Catherine?

8. How does T.R. Schmidt make his money?

9. Why does the Indian government want to support Laks?

10. Who joins Rufus at the marble mine and why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There is an idea that humans must reduce our energy use to mitigate climate change. Do you think the author thinks that this is a valid solution? Do you think it is a valid solution? Do you think the author believes that humans have the capacity to change our consumption culture before it is too late? The author presents technological advances as a working solution. Do you think that technology will save us or condemn us? Does this book change your mind about technology saving us from climate change? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Does this book change how you view the real climate conversation that the world is having right now? Does it change your opinion of how to make the climate better or at least less bad? How does the book affect your view surrounding the complications of global efforts to change the climate and governments' roles in coming up with solutions? Who's responsibility is it to find climate solutions? Governments? Private companies? Private citizens?

Essay Topic 3

Why does the author bring in Idil Warsame and Sister Catherine? They come from places where people have other seemingly more important issues than climate change. Why does the author include their perspective in the book?

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