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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. To where does Tom lead Reba and Roger to show them the spacecraft?

2. What does Kreton put around the ship?

3. What does Powers explain UFO stands for?

4. Why is Conrad forced to spend the night?

5. Which uniform does Kreton say he prefers?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain why Roger is upset about Powers' revelations on the UFO, and what he tries to do about it.

2. Explain Powers' complaint at the beginning of the play in terms of what he has been given as responsibility, and who he blames for the change.

3. Summarize the argument of Roger against the existence of UFOs.

4. Why is Reba concerned about the marriage of Ellen and Conrad.

5. Delton 4 says Kreton sees the world as his plaything. Do you think this is accurate?

6. What is Roger afraid Kreton truly represents? What is Kreton's reply to this?

7. Is Kreton well-organized? Why?

8. Does Kreton seem to understand the intricate details of human relationships?

9. What does Powers see as the biggest problem in war?

10. Describe the scene when Kreton reveals his power. What can he do? How does he prove it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the novel, Vidal suggests, through Kreton, that mankind is savage, violent, blood thirsty, and always ready for war. Do you think this is true? Why or why not? Based on the characters presented in the novel, do you believe Vidal portrayed his characters to agree or disagree with this notion? Why? Which characters represent an affinity for war, and which represent opposition to war? Why? Is Kreton correct in his assumptions, based on the character's actions, that humans are blood thirsty? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Kreton manipulates individuals throughout the novel in an effort to force them to create the world he originally envisioned when he envisioned Earth. Choose of the following manipulative situations to discuss.

1. Describe the situation where Kreton uses the thoughts of the aide to push Conrad into fighting. What was the aide thinking? Why did this bother Conrad? Is the fact that Conrad tried to hit the aide proof that Kreton is correct that humans are naturally violent? Or was Conrad abnormally motivated to violence by Kreton's manipulation? Why? Be sure to support your ideas with the book.

2. Describe the situation where Kreton uses the fight between Conrad and the aide to convince Ellen to marry Conrad. What was the fight about? Why did this change Ellen's opinion of marrying Conrad? Is the fact that Ellen married Conrad only after his show of violence proof that humans are violent creatures? Or was Ellen abnormally motivated to marry by Kreton's manipulation? Why? Be sure to support your ideas with the book.

Essay Topic 3

In the book, there are several references made to time travel, and the effects of such an event. Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. If Kreton's war had taken place, would history have changed? Why? What was Kreton's intended result? Would that have affected the future of the planet? Why or why not?

2. Kreton notes that history books would have to be altered. In real life, are history books ever changed? Why or why not? What does this say about time? What does this say about our perception of time? Was Kreton right, therefore, when he said time was relative? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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