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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. In Chapter 15, how many days does Mark estimate his potatoes will last?

2. In Chapter 19, how long does Commander Lewis have to talk to her husband?

3. To what temperature does the oxygenator heat CO2?

4. On Sol 436, how long does Mark test his bedroom after patching it up?

5. What is Martinez’s wife’s name?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Mark cook his potatoes before he leaves on his trip?

2. Why does Mark decide not to visit Opportunity?

3. What is Rich Purnell’s job?

4. What is Mark’s biggest problem on Sol 122?

5. On Sol 376, what does Mark relate about his schedule?

6. Where is NASA getting a booster for the probe to send to Mark?

7. Why is Martinez’s wife Marissa irritated with him?

8. What does Mark do while his batteries recharge?

9. What does Mark have to do in order to be rescued by the Hermes?

10. In Chapter 15, why doesn’t Dr. Keller want to reduce Watney’s intake to make the rations last longer?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Mark found himself alone on Mars. What is Mark’s attitude when he realizes he is alone? How does he describe his condition? How does a night’s sleep affect his attitude?

Essay Topic 3

In the novel, some characters are more thoroughly described than others. Who are some characters that are merely named in passing or have a minor role in the novel? What is the importance of these flat characters to the story line? In what way do these characters make the main characters more colorful or interesting? When there is conflict, what type of role do these flat characters play?

(see the answer keys)

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