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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. Where does the Professor want to look for evidence of a tower?

2. What does Sophie do when she sees Chris get distracted and hit?

3. What does the doctor want to ascertain before sedating the old man?

4. Who is second in command of the Dordogne project?

5. On what project is Chris Hughes working?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do the workers have to wear filter masks at the digging site?

2. How does one get onto the board of ITC?

3. What indications are there that ITC's luck with quantum research has failed?

4. What is the quintain, and what is its purpose?

5. What is Chris' specialty in graduate school?

6. Of what does Gordon have to remind himself about his difficult boss, Doniger?

7. What do the orderlies notice about the old man's shirt?

8. What does Marek say about the strategic importance of the Dordogne?

9. What does Wauneka show the Bakers that was in the old man's pocket, and what does Liz say about the drawing?

10. What does Dan Baker want to do when traveling on a poor, rutted road in Arizona and how does that differ from his wife's desires?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

a. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in Timeline.

b. Trace and analyze one major theme of Timeline. How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

c. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of Timeline. How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

Essay Topic 2

Choose one of the following to discuss:

a. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in Timeline. Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Crichton chooses the symbols he does?

b. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Crichton chooses the metaphors he does?

c. Discuss Crichton's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, clifthangers, deux ex machina, etc...), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Crichton use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

Essay Topic 3

As the historians adapt to their new surroundings, they begin adopting medieval phrasing in their dialogue. This courtliness lends to the newly established romantic tone. The gothic-romantic tone is established further through vivid imagery and place descriptions. The forests are described as primeval, and life in 1357 is revealed to be a constant struggle for survival against nature and one's rival human beings. The author describes this struggle as man's natural state, and contrasts it with the sterile, artificial environment at ITC.

a. The type of speech in the middle ages makes it seem that people were more polite to each other back then. Do you think this is true? Why or why not?

b. Why do you think vivid imagery and descriptions help to establish a gothic-romantic tone?

c. Do you think struggling for survival is more natural to humans than living in ease? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 900 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample