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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 kind of a compound is the Authority enclave built into?

2. Mike realizes that an Authority vehicle of what type was destroyed by Wili's bobbles?

3. Why do the gangs around the embobbled tenement building help Wili?

4. What does Della strike Avery down with?

5. Della gives Mike information about what?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Avery lose control over the situation early in the battle with the Tinkers?

2. Why does Mike decide to embobble himself?

3. What is Renaissance?

4. Why are Paul and the others stopped on the road to the Authority enclave?

5. What fears do Mike and Allison express when the group returns to Paul's home?

6. How does Wili manipulate Della and Mike while they are at the demonstration of the power generator?

7. What sacrifice does Jill make for Wili?

8. How does Mike feel about losing Jeremy inside the bobble at the bioscience lab?

9. Why does Kaladze say Wili should trust Mike?

10. Why does Paul decide to embobble himself?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Paul is consumed by guilt and regrets, and despite his personal strength, he begins to succumb to the pressures of things he believes he is responsible for, and the ways in which he has failed those around him.

1) Discuss Paul's attitude towards the bobbles. Are his protests against them genuine, or are they reactions to other deep-seated feelings that he may be harboring?

2) Describe how and why Paul feels guilty about losing Allison, and how he reacts when she is freed from her bobble. How do these events weight on Paul?

3) Explain Paul's decline as a leader and explain how it is related to the stresses he experiences from his guilts and regrets.

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 932 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample