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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. Which character is described in Chapter 2 as having "more than a touch of whim among his elements"?

2. What is the Fourth Dimension?

3. What does the Time Traveler judge his pace in the machine to be?

4. What color are the Time Traveler's eyes?

5. What is the air temperature in this far future?

Short Essay Questions

1. What kind of food does the Time Traveler particularly crave when he returns?

2. Why does the Time Traveler believe that the Eloi did not need intellect?

3. What political system is discussed in Chapter 1 as a possible future for humanity and why has Wells included it?

4. What does the Time Traveler see when he stops the machine in the far future in Chapter 3?

5. Describe the state of the time machine when the Time Traveler finally finds it in the base of the White Sphinx?

6. What happens to Weena in the forest fire?

7. Why does the Time Traveler begin to share the Eloi's fear of the dark?

8. Describe the Time Traveler's appearance when he suddenly arrives during the second dinner.

9. What does the Time Traveler discover about the Morlocks that allows him to escape the three of them in the tunnel?

10. Why does the Time Traveler think the Morlocks started eating Eloi?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One feature of the science fiction genre is "world-building," which describes the ways an author establishes a specific and believable setting with rules of its own. One example of Wells's world-building is his extensive imaginings of Eloi culture. Describe the rules of Eloi culture, show how Wells tries to convince the reader of this culture, and examine the extent to which his fictional Eloi culture is believable, in terms of the novel. You will also want to consider the ideas dramatized by these characters and the setting established by their culture.

Essay Topic 2

Two kinds of science fiction worlds are utopias and dystopias. Define these terms. Using examples from this novel, identify which speculative elements are utopian and which are dystopic. How does Wells play with these two kinds of science fiction worlds? Finally, offer your opinion: do you consider this novel utopian, dystopian, or something else? Be specific.

Essay Topic 3

One of the most prominent symbolic systems Wells employs in this novel is the relationship between the Eloi and the Morlock. Define and describe this relationship, using examples from the text. Be sure to include the way it works on a literal level as well as on a symbolic one.

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