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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 organization was Jeremy's grandfather a part of?

3. Jill, the being that Wili initially took for a ghost, is really what?

4. Paul tells Wili that two moving points of light in the sky are what?

5. What does Wili call Paul's home?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why does Paul not accompany Wili to the chess tournament?

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

4. How is the bioscience lab hidden?

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

6. How do Paul's and Mile's assessments of Wili's illness differ?

7. What is unusual about the guests Paul receives at his house?

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

9. What is Wili's plan when he arrives at Paul's home?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Wili experiences the most growth of any character over the course of the novel. Although he begins as an orphaned and miscreant youth, he becomes an important leader within the Tinkers and possibly the most influential thinker in the world.

1) Discuss Wili as a character at the time that he enters the story. What is his background and what are his character traits? Explain how he uses his considerably intellect at this time.

2) Describe the causes of Wili's reform as a moral person. Explain what initiates this change and discuss some examples of Wili's superior moral standing from events in the later parts of the novel.

3) Explain Wili's growth as an intellectual thinker and leader. Identify the point where he surpasses and takes over for Paul, and how and why he becomes recognized by others in the Tinker movement as an important leader.

Essay Topic 2

The events after the chess tournament and at the tenement house spark the final conflict between the Tinkers and the Authority, exacerbating a disagreement that could have smoldered for a long time or fizzled into nothing.

1) Explain the Authority's motivations for intervening at the chess tournament. What were their long and short term goals in this action, and what consequences did they anticipate or fail to anticipate?

2) Discuss Wili's insistence on aiding those trapped at the tenement house. Explain his plan to help them and why he is willing and able to follow through on this dangerous plan.

3) Describe how the events surrounding the chess tournament hostages escalate the conflict between the Tinkers and the Authority.

4) Cite evidence from the novel to explain how the plot may have progressed differently had either Wili or the Authority acted differently at either of these junctions.

Essay Topic 3

Della is a skilled operative and military leader for the Authority and initially appears willing to do anything to carry out her mission to capture Paul Hoehler. However, her sentiments change and more details about her personality are revealed; she eventually betrays the Authority in stop project Renaissance.

1) Describe Della's position within the Authority and make an assessment of her capabilities and loyalties.

2) Explain how Della uses Mike, and speculate as to whether or not Mike's morals affect her.

3) Discuss Della's progression as a character, particularly her distaste for killing, and her decision to betray the Authority. What are her reasons for this drastic action?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 936 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample