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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 are Earth and its contemporary cities dependent?

2. Who is Dr. Fastolfe?

3. How will Enderby be witness to the investigation?

4. What does Lije explain to the women?

5. What does Lije state to Enderby and the others?

Short Essay Questions

1. How are robots used by Earthmen versus Spacers?

2. What do you think is the significance of the fact that the family is required to eat in the community kitchen most of the week?

3. Why is Lije unwilling to ask for reassignment from this case and what is Jesse's attitude about Lije's position on the force?

4. How did Lije meet Jesse, his wife, and what about their names may foreshadow something further in the story?

5. What is the process Lije has to go through to enter Spacetown and does this seem an invasion of privacy?

6. What is the unexpected result of Lije's accusations about R. Daneel?

7. What do you think could be an advantage if a clerk who is serving you were a robot?

8. How has the word "city" changed in the time of this novel?

9. How does R. Daneel disprove Lije's theory and is Enderby's response appropriate?

10. How do you think Lije feels about bringing home a robot who is his professional partner?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Issac Asimov is one of the most prolific writers, both science fiction and other genres, including acadmic, of his time. It is useful to know about him not just because he authored THE CAVES OF STEEL, but because his authorial life is quite astounding. Discuss the following:

1. Research Asimov and write a brief biography of Asimov.

2. What do you find to be most impressive about the man?

3. What do you think is Asimov's greatest accomplishment?

4. If you were told that you had to write 900 or so books and other works, how would you respond?

Essay Topic 2

Dr. Fastolfe is currently one hundred and sixty three years old, and on Fastolfe's home planet, Aurora, the average life expectancy for a male is three hundred and fifty years. Discuss the following:

1. What would it be like to have a life expectancy of 350 years?

2. Could Earth sustain life if people lived that long?

3. Do you think if the life expectancy were that long, the birth rate would plummet?

4. How long would adolescence last if one lived to be 350 years old?

Essay Topic 3

It is immediately apparent that there is a conflict between humans and robots. Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of man versus robots.

2. Discuss how you think robots would change our culture today if they started performing most of the service occupations.

3. Do you think the fears about robots in THE CAVES OF STEEL is justified? Explain fully.

(see the answer keys)

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