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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. How many Outer Worlds are there?

2. What does Baley ask Gladia concerning the murder?

3. Why is it unusual for a person from Earth to travel to Solaria?

4. What disturbs Baley about the statistics Olivaw gives him?

5. How long has it been since Gladia's husband has "seen" anyone besides herself?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. Describe Elijah Baley.

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

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

8. How are the farming and mining areas set apart from other Earth space?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

When Elijah is on Solaria, he is disturbed by being out under the open sky. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think Elijah finds fresh air and wind disturbing? How would you feel about it if you did not experience being out in the open very often?

2. Elijah eventually becomes overwhelmed and faints while sitting under the open sky. What in your life if it were radically different would "shake you up"? Compare the two.

3. How likely is it that in a few hundred years, Earth will be living in the manner suggested in Solaria in The Naked Sun?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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