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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 dangerous to a positronic brain?

2. What did Daneel detect in Clousarr?

3. Why does Lije decide to leave Jessie's name out of his report about the group?

4. Why does Lije commiserate with Enderby?

5. What is Dr. Gerrigel not able to imagine a human would do voluntarily?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does THE CAVES OF STEEL reach its climax and subsequent denouement?

3. Why do you think R. Daneel reveals his vulnerabilities to Lije?

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

5. Who does Lije call in Washington, D.C. and why does Lije call the man?

6. How does the conversation between Lije and Clousarr show Lije's changing opinions of robots?

7. How has the murder of R. Sammy changed the relationship between Lije and R. Daneel?

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

9. How has Lije's knowledge of robotics grown enough that he is able to use that knowledge to get Daneel's cooperation?

10. What childhood story makes Lije re-think Enderby as the murder suspect and why do you think Lije makes the connection between the story and Enderby?

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

Lije believes that Dr. Sarton made a robot copy of himself, blasted it, and arranged for the Spacers to send a robot into the City, threaten a mob of people and begin the rumor that a robot is on the loose. As things worsen for Spacetown, the more space ships will come down and infiltrate the Cities. Discuss the following:

1. Why do Spacers want to infiltrate the City?

2. Are Spacers only concerned for their own lives?

3. Do you think Spacers live more in tune with the natural world and thus they are wiser as to what the Earth needs?

Essay Topic 3

Besides the fact that robots are taking some of the jobs from the Earth people, many miss the fact that Human interaction is lost and efficiency overrules personal assistance. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think the people of Earth prefer human assistance?

2. How similar is their revolt to many people in our culture who complain about trying to call a company and getting a voice instructing them to push numbers?

3. Do you think there will be a time when robots do all the work for human beings? What do you think will be gained by that? What will be lost?

(see the answer keys)

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