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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 does Kreton put around the ship?

2. What is on Reba's mind at the end of Act 1?

3. What nickname does the aide think of when he thinks of Powers?

4. How does Kreton explain that he lives both on another planet and not on another planet?

5. Why does Roger believe he has different rights than others?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain where Kreton lives.

2. What happens when Powers threatens to take Kreton's ship apart?

3. Ellen accuses Kreton of being a vampire of emotions. Do you agree?

4. Why does Ellen claim in Act II she cannot marry Roger?

5. Is Powers' treatment of the aide justified? Why or why not?

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

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

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

9. Delton 4 promises to turn time backward, so that none of the events in the play occurred. What good things will thus be erased, as well?

10. What does Kreton do to try and entice Conrad to join the fight?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What do you think Vidal was trying to say about the political situation of the world in the 1950s? Why? What are possible reasons for this? What was he trying to say about the U.S. government? About the Russian government? Be sure to be very specific in your answer, and include information from the book to back your argument.

Essay Topic 2

In the play, Kreton admits his race no longer has sex as a result of the immortal status. What does this mean for his race, in terms of personal relationships? Do you think relationships would be as rewarding without sex or passion? Why? Could this explain Kreton's lack of moral behaviors? Why or why not? What would a lack of personal relationships do, psychologically, to an individual? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Kreton notes in the play that humans have an odd view of sex, in that they treat it as a taboo subject, while openly admitting their love for violence and death. Choose one of the following to write about.

1. Sex and violence are linked throughout the novel in several areas. Describe one of these situations. What was happening in the book? How are sex and violence linked? Why? What was the author trying to say?

2. Kreton notes that sex is a taboo subject. Is this true? Why? What makes human beings treat the topic of sex as they do? Is this logical? Why or why not?

3. Ellen notes that human beings think of sex often. Is this true? If so, why? If not, why would Ellen say this? Why is it okay to think about sex, but not to discuss it? What was the author trying to say about the attitudes of society toward sex?

(see the answer keys)

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