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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. Who does Gruer think is the murderer?

2. What does Baley want to examine?

3. For how long has Gladia and her husband been married?

4. What does Baley realize about the Solaria's inhabitant's attitude towards Olivaw?

5. Why does Olivaw arrange for a tube from the space ship to their car?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Gruer tell Elijah about the murder case?

2. What is Baley's response to his orders?

3. What does Gladia tell Elijah about her relationship with her husband?

4. How do people on the Outer Worlds view Earthmen?

5. How do people on Solaria communicate and what are Baley's beliefs about how that will affect his investigation?

6. What does Gladia ask Elijah about his and Daneel's proximity and what is Elijah's response?

7. Describe Gladia Delmarre.

8. Explain the difference between "viewing" and "seeing" on Solaria.

9. What is Elijah's attitude towards robots and what is the exception?

10. Why do the authorities believe Gladia did not kill her husband and what does Gladia say when Elijah asks her if she did it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of The Naked Sun, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in The Naked Sun (They may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not? Could any of the subplots be developed into a major plot?

Essay Topic 2

Lije questions why robots need to appear in the form of human likeness, why not another machine? He also wonders why the authorities are wanting those on Solaria to think R. Daneel is a human being. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think the human form is the most generalized form in all of nature? Why or why not?

2. Do you think the human form is more economical and efficient for robots? Why or why not.

3. Even if the human form is more economical and efficient, why do you think R. Daneel is anatomically correct, even to his genitalia? Does that amount of exactitude serve a purpose? What would that be?

Essay Topic 3

The laws of robotics are discussed in a number of chapters in The Naked Sun. Discuss the following:

1. Explain in your own words the three laws of robotics and why they probably exist.

2. Can you think of any other laws of robotics that should be in place? Explain.

3. If you had a robot employee or servant, would you want it to merely respond to commands with no emotions or would you like it endowed with artificial intelligence so that it could think at some level? Explain your preference.

(see the answer keys)

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