First Contact

1. Which story elements from First Contact indicate that the story is

in the science fiction/fantasy genre?

• Characters include an intelligent computer and a Martian.

• The plot that features humans in space.

• A narrator explains the characters’ feelings to the audience.

• The dialogue includes discussion of human microbes.

2 Which of the following themes is revealed by the play’s dialogue?

• Computers are still not as smart as a capable human leader.

• Our imaginations can take us places rocket ships cannot.

• Humans still know very little about space.

• Martians can be proud and thoughtless.

Answer explanation

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3 Look at line 23 from the play.

Buck: Hey! We're not violent! And we're certainly not dirty!

From Buck’s reaction, the reader can tell that –

• humans are significantly dirtier than martians

• Buck feels offended by Blox’s claims about humans

• Buck misunderstands Blox’s English accent

• showers are likely not available on the rocket ship

4 Which of the following best describes the stereotype that Blox

expresses about humans?

• Humans are wise and well-informed travelers in the solar system.

• Earth’s people have taken a very long time to reach Mars.

• Humans are not as well-equipped as a computer to pilot a

  spacecraft.

• Humans are easily frightened, sometimes violent, and

  contaminated by their own microbes and waste.

5 What message might the author expect the audience to receive

while watching this play?

• A The best defense is a strong offense.

• B When meeting new people, one should show no fear.

• As people, we should be thoughtful in new situations.

• Exploring space will likely cause humans grave harm.

6 In line 24, Blox asks a series of polite questions to –

• help put the human astronauts at ease in an uncomfortable

  situation

• support his characterization of humans as dirty and

  unreasonable

• confuse the crew with a series of hyperbolic statements

• show the audience that he is smarter than Max, a computer

7 Which of the play’s lines best show that the story’s tension

has been resolved?

• Buck touches his weapon.

• Do not your oceans fill with petroleum-based waste?

• As for landing, that is not permissible.

• You may orbit our planet as long and as often as you wish.

8 The play’s action all occurs –

• in the control room of a rocket ship

• in a computer’s memory circuits

• in near-Earth orbit

• on Mars’ surface

9 Which of the following best describes Max’s role in the play’s

dialogue?

• To present facts in an unbiased way

• To increase dramatic conflict

• To serve as a prop

• As comic relief