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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. Ye Wenjie discovers in college that it is useless to excel at theory without what in astrophysics?

2. What civilization is said to be lost when the scorching sun arrives in the game in Chapter 11, "Three Body: Mozi and Fiery Flames"?

3. Where does Ye Wenjie describe the Chinese Academy of Science's Space Environment Observation Center in Chapter 8, "Ye Wenjie"?

4. What is the central focus of the book Silent Spring?

5. What did Ye Wenjie study in college?

Short Essay Questions

1. What setting is established in Chapter 9, "The Universe Flickers"? How is it described?

2. When did the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution take place? Why is it important in The Three-Body Problem?

3. Who is Shao Lin and what is revealed about her character in Chapter 1, "The Madness Years"?

4. How does Bai Mulin betray Ye Wenjie? Why does he betray her?

5. Who is Ye Zhetai? What is his character's importance in The Three-Body Problem?

6. What is the significance of the literary allusions to Rachel Carson's Silent Spring in the novel?

7. What setting is established in Chapter 4, “The Frontiers of Science"? How much time has passed as Part II: "Three-Body" begins?

8. What does Shi relate to Wang regarding the academic community in Chapter 10, "Da Shi"?

9. Describe the narrative style in The Three-Body Problem. Does the narrative style change in the course of the novel?

10. Where is Ye Wenjie taken by helicopter in Chapter 3, "Red Coast I"? Why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the mission of the organization called Frontiers of Science in the novel? Who leads this organization? What role does this organization play in the main plot of the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the theme of extremism in The Three-Body Problem. What are some examples of extremism seen in the main characters? What are the repercussions of extremism? How does the author explore this theme through symbolism and imagery?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the theme exploring the uniting of mankind by a common enemy. Why do many of the characters in The Three-Body Problem believe that humankind will be united by the arrival of the Trisolarans? Do you agree with this concept? Why or why not?

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