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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 has to be rebuilt in the transit room in order to bring the Yale team back?

2. What is revealed when Kate removes Chris' doublet?

3. How does the Professor communicate as he is led off in the chapter “Castelgard”??

4. Why is Lady Claire opposed to the proposed marriage?

5. What does Sue Gomez do in the travel room?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Doniger explain the Professor's absence?

2. What happens almost immediately to Gomez and Baretto in the chapter “Castelgard”?

3. What kind of clothing are the travelers given?

4. How does Kate's state of mind change, and what does that help her to do?

5. What particular unanswered question bothers David Stern, and what is Doniger's reaction to David's question?

6. What does the maid explain to Chris about Lady Claire?

7. About what does Doniger remind the group in order to get them to agree to travel?

8. Who comes through the side door from the Abbot's quarters and what is she doing?

9. What good news/bad news does Diane Kramer give Doniger?

10. What does Gordon explain to David about the reconstitution of the travelers?

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

Discuss one of the following:

a. Trace and analyze the theme of the importance of history in Timeline. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with history? Why? What are some symbols of history? Symbols of time? What characters seem to not care about history? Are there any characters who want to use history for their own benefit?

b. Trace and analyze the theme of scientific arrogance in Timeline. Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to be arrogant? Why? Are all the arrogant characters scientists?

c. Trace and analyze the theme of technology in Timeline. Consider what technology is shown, how it is used, how it is abused, what is positive about it and what is negative about it.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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