View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What happens after the man is murdered?

2. About what does Baley think on the plane?

3. What is the viewer like that Gruer uses to speak with Baley?

4. How long does it take the robots to find Gladia after she faints?

5. Why won't Olivaw open the top of the car?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who meets Elijah at Solaria and what does he realize from the meeting?

2. Why does Daneel believe Gladia is naked while first "viewing" with Elijah?

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

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

5. Where is Elijah Baley at the opening of the novel and about what is he thinking?

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

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

8. Who is the Undersecretary and what does he order Baley to do and why?

9. How is the Earth encased, and how does that make Elijah feel?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Naked Sun is written in the genre of science fiction. Discuss the following:

1. What sets science fiction apart from other genres? Discuss several characteristics of science fiction that are absent in other genres and vice versa.

2. Some people might say that science fiction is merely for entertainment? Do you agree? Explain.

3. Discuss why The Naked Sun falls under the genre of science fiction.

4. Why do you think literary criticism breaks down fiction into genres? Do you think the labeling of genre to a work is useful to a reader? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 2

Klorissa also tells Elijah that the people of Solaria hate to be married. It is disgusting and unnatural and Dr. Delmarre had been working on a way to fertilize eggs so that the need for marriage would be done away with and no one would ever have to see each other again. Discuss the following:

1. What is the irony in Klorissa feeling that sexual relationships as a means of reproduction is unnatural?

2. Most cultures have their own ideas of what is natural and unnatural; children raised in a particular culture absorb those beliefs. How does that fact hinder change?

3. What do you think it would take for Solarians to become a culture based upon close human contact? Discuss fully.

Essay Topic 3

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as The Naked Sun help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading The Naked Sun? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in The Naked Sun to discuss and compare Elijah's response to how you think you would respond.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,039 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample