This is fun -- an undergraduate exam on Science Fiction from 1978:
I. IDENTIFICATION OF PEOPLE, GADGETS, OR PLACES (25 points -- time approx. 30 minutes)
Identify the following people, gadgets, places, or ideas. Put them in the appropriate work and discuss the importance of each to that work. Why does the author invent such a thing? How does it enhance his or her story line or the point made within the book? 1. The stillsuit 2. Odonianism 3. Charles Reymont 4. The Sirkunix at Ankurum 5. The three laws of robotics
II. ESSAYS. Pick three of the following topics. 25 points each -- time approx. 30 minutes each.
1. In both DUNE and the BIRTHGRAVE, you find characters who possess special powers and who are driven by terrible purposes. How do these powers and purposes differ? What difference does that make to the books? Be as specific as you can when discussing Paul or Karrakaz.
2. Both THE MOTE IN GOD'S EYE and TAU ZERO are highly technological works. Both concern themselves with HOW devices work. Concentrate in both books not on the gadgets but on the characters in each book and the message you think the authors of each are trying to convey. What is it? Why do you think so? Which do you think is the more deeply realized, the more humane?
3. Discuss the methods of social control on Anarras as opposed to the Urrasti Nations A-Io and Thu. Are these methods in accord with the Odonianism the Urrasti profess? Defend your judgment in the light of what you know about Odo's philosophy.
4. There is an apocalyptic element (i.e., pertaining to the end of the world in TAU ZERO and A CANTICLE FOR LEIBOWITZ. How do they differ?
5. Discuss the ruined civilizations of THE BIRTHGRAVE and A CANTICLE FOR LEIBOWITZ. What use does each author make of them and why?
6. Discuss John Brunner's method of organizing STAND ON ZANZIBAR. How does it contribute to the message he is trying to convey.
Interesting to see how book tastes change. DUNE is still well-known and STAND ON ZANZIBAR and A CANTICLE FOR LEIBOWITZ are acknowledged classics of the genre, but the rest have fallen off the rader somewhat. Even FOUNDATION isn't quite as well-regarded as it once was, whilst I doubt most SF fans have even heard of TAU ZERO and THE BIRTHGRAVE (although Poul Anderson and Tanith Lee are still respected names).
Interesting questions as well.