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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. Of what is Gladia certain?

2. What are programmed into every robot?

3. Who is Hannis Gruer?

4. Who does Gruer think is the murderer?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What shocks Baley about his first communication with Gladia, and how does she explain the situation? What is Elijah's response?

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

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

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

5. Describe Gladia Delmarre.

6. Discuss the laws of robotics.

7. Describe Elijah Baley.

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

9. What does Albert reply to Baley's reluctance to accept the assignment?

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

There are a number of interesting questions raised by The Naked Sun--questions that most likely Asimov wanted the readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the author's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Asimov's probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

Essay Topic 2

Issac Asimov is one of the most prolific writers, both science fiction and other genres, including academic, of his time. It is useful to know about him not just because he authored The Naked Sun, but because his authorial life is quite astounding. Discuss the following:

1. Research Asimov and write a brief biography of the man.

2. What do you find to be most impressive about the man?

3. What do you think is Asimov's greatest accomplishment?

4. If you were told that you had to write 900 or so books and other works, how would you respond?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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