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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. What was the main role of the group that Jeremy's grandfather was a part of?

2. What arcade game does Wiki Wachendon win repeatedly at the Old California Shopping Center?

3. What evidence causes the Authority to suspect the Tinkers possess an advanced technology?

4. Interest in which of the following convince Wili to stay at Paul's house?

5. Della explains that the Authority believes the Tinkers have achieved what advanced technology?

Short Essay Questions

1. How and why did the Red Arrow Battalion settle in America?

2. According to the bioscientists, what is the nature of and cure for Wili's disease?

3. What discovery causes the Authority to become more suspicious about the Tinkers?

4. Who was Sylvester, and what did he do for Wili?

5. Which group does Mike betray by taking Wili to the bioscientists?

6. What is the Authority's plan for the Tinkers?

7. What is the relationship between the Tinkers and the Authority?

8. What are Paul's reasons for accepting Wili as an apprentice?

9. At the Peace Authority, what causes are discussed for the collapse of the bobble near Greater Tucson?

10. How did Wili's parent's react when they discovered his illness?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At the end of the novel, the world has been totally destabilized by the destruction of the Authority as a cohesive organization. Although Paul, Wili, and the others have accomplished what they set out to do, they express concerns about what effects their actions will have on the world at large.

1) Discuss the major events that occur at the end of the novel which will have a major impact on the stability of the world. Describe the causes of these events and how closely they conformed to Paul's plans.

2) Describe the major political and military powers that exist outside of the Authority, and how they are likely to react to the power vacuum created by the bobbling of the Authority enclave.

3) Speculate, using information from the book, about how the characters remaining at the end of the novel will act to stabilize the world.

4) Based on the situation and the possibilities you have discussed so far, make an assessment as to whether or not Paul and the Tinkers were justified in their plan of action against the Authority.

Essay Topic 2

Trust forms an important part of the development of at least two major characters. Both Wili and Paul learn to trust others and reform themselves dramatically after someone else extends them unconditional trust. Although there were significant risks taken in both cases, the results were positive.

1) Explain why Paul decided to trust Wili, and how Wili responded to this trust.

2) Discuss Wili's decision to trust Mike. How was Wili influenced by his own experiences in making this decision, and what effect did it have on Mike?

3) Summarize the theme of trust within the novel and how it initiates character progression.

4) Speculate as to how the story may have progressed differently had Paul or Wili made different decisions with regards to trusting others.

Essay Topic 3

Jill is a computer program created by Paul for both practical and sentimental reasons. At the height of the final battle between the Tinkers and the Authority, she allows Wili to escape while sentencing herself to almost certain capture and destruction.

1) Discuss the reasons Paul had for creating Jill. Describe her sentimental importance to Paul, and the functional role she fulfills.

2) Explain some of the behaviors Jill exhibits which suggest she has become more than a simple program. Additionally, discuss the reactions other characters have to these behaviors.

3) After Jill sends Wili away to complete the embobbling program herself, the other characters discuss whether or not she was fully sentient and whether her actions constituted a sacrifice. Cite evidence from the book and speculate as to whether Jill was independently intelligent, whether she had real emotions, and whether her destruction constitutes a real sacrifice.

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