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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 Clousarr try to do to Daneel?

2. What has just been discovered at the police department?

3. About what is Enderby surprisingly calm?

4. Where does Clousarr say he has been during the last few nights?

5. Who is the obvious suspect as the killer of Dr. Sarton?

Short Essay Questions

1. What theme is demonstrated by the conversation between Lije and Norris?

2. How does Dr. Gerrigel demonstrate the first law of robotics and at the same time prove once and for all R. Daneel's innocence?

3. Does Lije seem to be finally thinking more clearly and to what might you attribute that?

4. How is R. Daneel able to assure Lije of Enderby's innocence and does Daneel's explanation seem plausible?

5. How do you think Lije's prejudice towards robots hinders his murder investigation?

6. What is the explanation that Dr. Gerrigel offers for the physical appearance of robots. Does this explanation seem plausible to you?

7. When Daneel and Lije return to their apartment, what horrifies does Daneel do that horrifies Lije? Would you feel the same way

8. What does Lije propose and how does Dr. Gerrigel refute Lije's theory?

9. What does the visit to Yeast town demonstrate?

10. Why can't Daneel use cerebroanalysis to find the murderer?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

THE CAVES OF STEEL is written in the genre of science fiction. Discuss the following:

1. What sets science fiction apart from other genres?

2. Some people might say that science fiction is merely for entertainment? Do you agree or not? Explain.

3. Discuss why THE CAVES OF STEEL falls under the genre of science fiction.

Essay Topic 3

We eventually learn that the Spacers set up Lije as an experiment to see if human beings could be made to live in peaceful co-existence with robots. They inject Lije with a drug that eventually makes Lije defend robots. Discuss the following:

1. Was it ethical to inject Lije without his permission?

2. If an Earthman has to be injected with a drug to make them accept robots, then how do you think the Spacers could pull off drugging all, or even a small portion of the 50 billion humans on Earth?

3. If there were a way to drug someone to gain his/her cooperation or to change their minds about something, do you think the government of the United States would use such a drug? Why or why not.

(see the answer keys)

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