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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 normal percent of oxygen in the Earth’s atmosphere?

2. On Sol 82, what landmark does Mark see that indicate he is near Pathfinder?

3. In Chapter 11, where is Venkat’s temporary office?

4. After the explosion on Sol 40, how long does it take to get the oxygen level back up to par in the Hab?

5. What music is on Lewis’s USB drive that Mark finds in Rover 2?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Mark arrange everything so he can return to the Hab with the probe?

2. Why does Mindy believe that Watney is alive?

3. Why isn’t it an issue that Mark can’t take the Pathfinder back to the Hab?

4. What are the pros and cons of having hydrazine available?

5. What is Plutonium-238?

6. Why does Venkat think Mark is using the RTG?

7. Why doesn’t Sanders want to give Venkat satellite time?

8. How does Mark get the lander safely on the roof of the rover?

9. What is Mark’s first conversation with NASA on Sol 97?

10. On Sol 16, in what context does Mark think about his family?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The point of view in the novel alternates between first person and third person. Why is it necessary for the author to change the point of view in certain sections of the novel? What part of the story could not have been told from Mark’s point of view?

Essay Topic 2

Mark is stranded on Mars. What happens that causes the mission to be aborted? What happens to Mark? Why does the crew leave him behind?

Essay Topic 3

The Ares 3 Crew is not told right away that Mark is alive. Who decides not to tell the crew right away? Why doesn’t that person want them to know? When is the crew told? Who tells them? Why are they told at that point? How do they take the news?

(see the answer keys)

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