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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 bracelet called that Laks wears on his wrist?

2. What is Saskia's official position?

3. What does Rufus name the first horse that he lures back to his living location at Flying S Ranch?

4. Where does Alastair live?

5. What does Michiel say is Venice's main climate related problem?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

2. What is Laks' newfound purpose?

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

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

5. What does Rufus attempt as his initial profession after coming out of the army?

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

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

8. Who is Lan Lu and what is his significance for Laks?

9. Why does Rufus go to see Dr. Rutledge?

10. What is the MOSE project that Michiel talks to Saskia about in the chapter titled West Texas?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What do you think the author is trying to say in creating T.R. to be the type of man that he is? Consider how T.R. makes his billions. Consider his approach to geoengineering and the politics of affecting the whole world when he starts operating Pina2bo. Does he consult with any countries that are likely to be pissed at him? What do you think the author is saying by showing that governments are unable to effectively solve their problems and cooperate? Consider the Venetians' complaint about the MOSE project or the way that the Maeslantkering fails.

Essay Topic 2

The author brings in technology in different ways throughout the book. Do you think the author is trying to say something specific about technology or begin a conversation around the pros and cons of technology? How does technology affect the characters in the story in positive ways and negative ways? When answering this question, Consider the falconers' eagles vs. the drones. Consider all of flying S being shut down because of an electro-magnetic pulse that fries the microchips that are essential to the operation of Pina2bo and Flying S Ranch. Consider that the eagles would not be effective against the drones without their gauntlets that Rufus makes with an advanced 3D printer.

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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