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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 T.R. first talk to Rufus about when they meet for the first time?

2. What does Eshma do for Singapore?

3. What is the name of the gun complex in Flying S Ranch?

4. What is T.R.'s full real name?

5. Where does Saskia camp out before going to Sugarland?

Short Essay Questions

1. What existential matter does Laks come up against in Chandigarh?

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

3. In the chapter titled "The Hague," what are the complications of launching sulfur as Alastair explains it?

4. Why does Rufus call Beau Boskey?

5. Why is Rufus driving alongside the Waco airfield in his truck?

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

7. What is China's agenda in causing a massive wave to destroy the Maeslantkering and flood the Netherlands and England?

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

9. What is Rufus' profession after Adele is killed?

10. Why does T.R. take his guests on a drone tour of Buffalo Bayou and the greater Houston area?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is Termination Shock in the context of this book? What does that idea mean? Does the idea of termination shock seem to play a major or minor role in the story? When and where is termination shock brought up in the story? Is it brought up consistently? Do you think the author meant it to be more of a background consideration or to play a significant role in how the reader interprets the book?

Essay Topic 2

Many of the important characters in the book are engineers or mechanics or scientists in some way. Why do you think that is? Does the author seem to have a special affinity for engineers and scientists? How does engineering and science play a role in the authors real life? How do you think that shows up in the book?

Essay Topic 3

Imagine that you are going to explain the plot, the meanings, and the layers of this book to someone who has not read this book or knows what it is about. Write an essay that talks about and summarizes what you think are the important things to know and think about in regard to the story.

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This section contains 976 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample