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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 Dr. Beverly Tsosie usually work?

2. What does the Professor believe ITC has done at the site?

3. What is David Stern's job at the project site?

4. What is odd about the old man's fingertips?

5. What did scientists believe they had done at the end of the century mentioned in the Introduction?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the Professor believe ITC has done concerning the Dordogne site?

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

3. What does Marek explain about the proton magnetometer?

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

5. How do Chris and Stern inadvertently find a tower foundation, and how does Chris react?

6. What is Marek like as a medieval historian?

7. What does Stern respond to Marek's inquiries about the helicopter surveillance?

8. What do scientists believe at the end of the 19th Century?

9. Who is Arnaut de Cervole, and what is he known for doing?

10. What does Doniger order Gordon to have a security officer do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Michael Crichton, in his signature style, blends scientific fact with fiction in Timeline. The introduction is designed to lay the groundwork for his theme of scientific hubris. Crichton establishes a parallel between the arrogant shortsightedness of late 19th Century scientists and the equally arrogant, shortsighted scientists of the late 20th Century.

a. Discuss three examples of Crichton blending scientific fact with fiction in Timeline.

b. Discuss what is meant by the term scientific hubris in the above paragraph.

c. Compare one incident of scientific shortsightedness in the 19th Century to one in the late 20th Century. This may require research.

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Books may have a character-driven plot, and action-drive plot, or a balance the two. Discuss the following:

a. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character-driven? Action driven?

b. How do you think a plot differs if it is character-driven versus action-driven?

c. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

d. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not?

e. What type of plot do you think Timeline is? Explain your response.

(see the answer keys)

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