Term Test Essay Questions

Term Test

Note: these are the questions from 2007 and will be modified before our test this semester. Please check back to make sure you have the correct questions!

The term test will cover all the material we've discussed in class up to the week before reading week and will be closed book. It will consist of the following questions:

• 5 content questions worth 5 marks (similar to the quizzes). The answers can be single words or in point form, as is appropriate. Grammar will not count, although spelling will!

• 5 short answer questions (no more than 1 page) worth 5 marks each. Your answer should be a complete paragraph with grammatically correct sentences and have appropriate formatting - page citations are not required.

• 1 longer essay question (3-4 pages), worth 20 marks. This should be a complete essay, with an introduction, thesis statement, conclusion, and two to three body paragraphs, each of which addresses a sub-topic and provides concrete examples from the assigned readings to support your thesis. Your answer should also be in grammatically correct sentences and have appropriate formatting - page citations are not required.

For the test I will select questions from the lists below. There will not be a choice of questions (you have to answer all the questions I give you!), so you might want to sketch out answers to all these questions beforehand to prepare for the test. I'm also happy to answer any questions you might have or to have a quick look at a point form answer you draw up to any of these questions - as long as you send it to me at least 24 hours prior to the test.

Shorter Questions

• Why was "Helen O'Loy" considered to be a "ground-breaking" story? That is, how did it differ significantly from SF stories that came before it?

• In "Nightfall", Anton the director of Saro University, Theremon the reporter, Sheerin the psychologist and Latimer the cultist represent different ideas. Describe the ideas associated with each.

• Is "It's a Good Life" an SF story? Support your argument by referring to concrete examples from the story.

• Names and the use of names are important in "The Cold Equations". What is the author trying to say?

• "Flowers for Algernon" is told through Charlie's journal-entries. Why did the author choose this form of narrative?

• Explain the difference between "soft/social" SF and "hard" SF. Cite examples of each from the assigned readings.

• Explain what is meant by the term "Sense of Wonder" as it applies to SF, and give examples from at least two of the assigned readings.

• Why is it critical for an author to establish setting early in an SF story? Give two examples of how this is done using the assigned readings.

• SF works often pose "What if..." questions. Explain what a "What if..." question is, and give three examples from the assigned readings.

• The misuse of science and the scientific method are often the focus of SF works. Give two examples from the assigned readings where this is the case, and explain what criticisms they make of science or the scientific method.

Longer Questions

• Ideas often take precedence over characterization in SF stories. Illustrate this using at least three of the assigned readings.

• Describe the development of SF as a genre by referring to at least four of the assigned readings.

• Give a definition of SF, and defend it by citing examples from the assigned readings.