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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 initial relationship between Miranda and Carl Hollywood?

2. When Nell reads the Primer alone in her room, who becomes its main character?

3. In "Harv Brings Nell a Present," what happens when Tequila's boyfriend throws the Primer at Nell?

4. Nell learns how to light a fire while reading what story in the Primer?

5. After Miranda intervenes in the Primer's story to help Nell avoid danger, where does Miranda go?

Short Essay Questions

1. In "Hackworth Presents the Primer to Lord Finkle-McGraw," why is Lord Finkle-McGraw unable to make the book function?

2. Describe the birthday party of Princess Charlotte in "A Visit from Royalty," and explain how it further describes one aspect of nanotechnology.

3. In "Particulars of Nell's Domestic Situation," what happens when Harv brings home a scrap of woven fabric he found by the sea?

4. In "The Torture Chamber of Judge Fang," what is unusual about the torture and the prisoner's response to that torture?

5. In "Nell's Further Experiences with the Primer," how does the Primer reveal its ability to empathize with Nell and adapt to her needs?

6. In "Nell and Harv's General Living Situation," why does Harv warn Nell about bad people, and what does he compare them to?

7. As explained in "Hackworth in the Hong of Dr. X," why does Dr. X have such an unusual name, and what is his profession?

8. In "Judge Fang Pays a Visit to the Celestial Kingdom," why is the conversation between Judge Fang and Dr. X vague and inconcrete?

9. What is the significance of Hackworth's actions in "Hackworth Compiles the Young Lady's Illustrated Primer?"

10. In "Miranda's Reactions to the Evening's Events," what selfless act does Dinosaur perform and why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Track the gradually developing mother/daughter relationship between Miranda and Nell as it grows throughout the novel by way of the Primer, culminating in Nell's rescue of Miranda using skills she learned from the Primer.

Essay Topic 2

The author uses performances throughout the novel to propel the action, including ractor interactions in the Primer, theatrical plays, passives, actives, mediatrons, trance-like rituals, and scripted brothel fantasies. Discuss the author's use of drama within drama to forward the plot of "The Diamond Age".

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the various methods of sharing data as portrayed in the novel. Include discussions of the Feed, the Seed, the Drummer ritual, and the Primers.

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