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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. How is Arnaut successful in bringing down the fortress?

2. How does Katherine react when the Professor hands her the map mailed to them by Wauneka?

3. What does the old man suddenly begin to do?

4. What does Tsosie order the nurse to do concerning the new patient?

5. What does the Professor insist upon doing with Kramer?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Chris behave at dinner with the others in Sarlat?

2. What does quantum technology make possible?

3. What does Dan notice about the old man's body when Dan lifts him into the car?

4. What does Kramer pressure the Professor to do?

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

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

7. What does the MRI on Traub reveal?

8. What is Chris' specialty in graduate school?

9. What does Marek explain about the proton magnetometer?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about he author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

a. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Michael Crichton.

b. What in Crichton's background may have helped her in writing Timeline? What may have influenced the way he depicts various characters and scenes?

c. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

d. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

e. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Crichton's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Crichton's probable agenda concerning that idea.

f. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface? Why or why not?

g. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author? Explain your answer with examples.

Essay Topic 2

Doniger is a man who will stop at nothing to keep his competitive advantage. Opposing Doniger and his billions is one lone rural police officer with a hunch. Thus the author has created tension, for the reader must wait to see if Officer Wauneka will be able to piece the puzzle together, and just how far Doniger and ITC are willing to go to stop him.

a. Discuss the ways in which Doniger is portrayed as a competitive person.

b. Do you think Wauneka pursued his suspicions far enough? Why or why not?

c. Discuss the ways in which Doniger and ITC attempt to stop Wauneka from investigating the death of Joseph Traub and ITC.

Essay Topic 3

The individuals who appear in the 14th Century are Kate, Chris, and Marek from another universe. They are nearly identical people, but they are not the same. The friends Stern knows have been irrevocably destroyed. The Professor, unaware of this technical detail, somehow seems to sense that he is not where he belongs. His comment about Marek living in a world not his own can be linked to a subconscious instinct that he, too, is out of his element.

a. How do you think Kate, Chris and Marek feel about being alive in a universe different from their own?

b. Do you think if you were in Stern’s position you would feel awkward around Chris, Kate and Marek? Why or why not?

c. Do you think the Professor is correct about his ideas concerning Marek? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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