Essay Questions

--Term Test--

The Term Test will consist of 5 content questions worth 5 marks, 5 short answer questions (no more than 1 page) worth 5 marks each, and 1 longer essay questions (2-4 pages), worth 20 marks, for a total of 50. For the term test, I will select questions from the lists below. You might want to sketch out answers to these questions beforehand to prepare for 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.

"Born of Man and Woman"

 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"

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

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.