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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.
Short Answer Questions
1. How much of his brain does Kreton claim to use?
2. Why does Conrad claim he was up all night?
3. What does Conrad suggest to take over the world?
4. What has Kreton's race given up, along with the appendix?
5. Why has Reba had a bad morning?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
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?
Essay Topic 2
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 3
Kreton and Ellen represent dueling forces in "Visit to a Small Planet" and have a major impact on the lives of the other characters in the play.
Part 1. Compare and contrast the characters of Kreton and Ellen by the end of the play. How are these characters the same? How are they different? What changes do the go through as the play moves forward?
Part 2. What would the result have been if Ellen's character had not evolved through the play? Be sure to use information from the novel to discuss your answer.
Part 3. What are the motivations for the actions of each of the characters? Are these motivations similar or different? Why?
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This section contains 445 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) |
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