H.G. Wells ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS And
CORRECT Answers
A utopia is a perfect or ideal society. In contrast, a dystopia is a society that is in some way
undesirable or even frightening. Dystopias in science fiction are often based on some quality or
problem in the real, present-day world. Why do you think that the themes of utopia and
dystopia are common in science fiction? - CORRECT ANSWERS Sample Answer:
Science fiction delves not only into the possibilities of science but also its effects on civilization
as a whole, which can be either positive or negative. Utopias and dystopias are the hypothetical
extremes that result when we try to imagine the consequences of human choices or changes in
society. When the choices or changes depend on science, the imagined consequences fall within
the genre of science fiction.
Many fictional utopias require science-driven advances—for example, the elimination of
disease. In fact, some thinkers once held the view that the well-being of humankind could be
achieved through advances in technology alone. Technology tends to play a major role in
fictional dystopias as well. Undesirable technologies, such as easily available weapons of mass
destruction, are also based on science.
Science fiction is sometimes considered to be of a lower literary quality than other fiction
genres. In fact, literary scholars often classify highly literary works of science fiction as
something other than science fiction. What is your opinion of science fiction? Do you think it is
a form of serious literature? Why or why not? - CORRECT ANSWERS Sample Answer:
Your answer might include some of the following scenarios and details.
If you claim that science fiction is not serious literature, you might support your position with
these opinions:
, Many novels in the genre are published each year, but few are of high quality—their quantity
exceeds their quality.
Characters are largely stereotypical, and there is little emphasis on human interaction and
emotions, so the characters are flat.
Science fiction repeats the same few themes: time travel, aliens, intergalactic war, etc. The
treatment of these themes is shallow and serves to increase the sensationalism in the story.
The vision of new worlds is often poor, with no deep exploration of the social and political
realities in the fantasy setting. For instance, even though different fantastical races are created,
there is hardly any realistic exploration of the themes of racism and privilege.
If you claim that science fiction is comparable to other forms of literature, you might support
your position with these opinions:
Science fiction introduces readers to new ways of thinking and viewing the world by exploring
new ideas and potential futures.
Like other forms of literature, science fiction explores important questions and issues that affect
people in their everyday lives or humanity as a whole.
Like other forms of literature, science fiction writers make use of language and style to reflect
and develop their themes. Authors often create highly developed alien languages with detailed
grammar and syntax, for example the Klingon language from Star Trek.
Science fiction has well-developed characters who reflect the emotions, fears, and hopes of real
people. Science fiction envisions new worlds to explore social and political realities in a fantasy
setting. For example, a dystopia or dying world may be used to show
Based on your reading of chapter 5 of The Time Machine by H. G. Wells, answer each of the
following questions in a few paragraphs.
Part A
How does the Time Traveller seem to feel about the Eloi and the Morlocks? - CORRECT
ANSWERS The Time Traveller sees the Eloi as a weak, lazy, and unintelligent race evolved
from the aristocratic upper class. He also calls them childish in both their appearance and
CORRECT Answers
A utopia is a perfect or ideal society. In contrast, a dystopia is a society that is in some way
undesirable or even frightening. Dystopias in science fiction are often based on some quality or
problem in the real, present-day world. Why do you think that the themes of utopia and
dystopia are common in science fiction? - CORRECT ANSWERS Sample Answer:
Science fiction delves not only into the possibilities of science but also its effects on civilization
as a whole, which can be either positive or negative. Utopias and dystopias are the hypothetical
extremes that result when we try to imagine the consequences of human choices or changes in
society. When the choices or changes depend on science, the imagined consequences fall within
the genre of science fiction.
Many fictional utopias require science-driven advances—for example, the elimination of
disease. In fact, some thinkers once held the view that the well-being of humankind could be
achieved through advances in technology alone. Technology tends to play a major role in
fictional dystopias as well. Undesirable technologies, such as easily available weapons of mass
destruction, are also based on science.
Science fiction is sometimes considered to be of a lower literary quality than other fiction
genres. In fact, literary scholars often classify highly literary works of science fiction as
something other than science fiction. What is your opinion of science fiction? Do you think it is
a form of serious literature? Why or why not? - CORRECT ANSWERS Sample Answer:
Your answer might include some of the following scenarios and details.
If you claim that science fiction is not serious literature, you might support your position with
these opinions:
, Many novels in the genre are published each year, but few are of high quality—their quantity
exceeds their quality.
Characters are largely stereotypical, and there is little emphasis on human interaction and
emotions, so the characters are flat.
Science fiction repeats the same few themes: time travel, aliens, intergalactic war, etc. The
treatment of these themes is shallow and serves to increase the sensationalism in the story.
The vision of new worlds is often poor, with no deep exploration of the social and political
realities in the fantasy setting. For instance, even though different fantastical races are created,
there is hardly any realistic exploration of the themes of racism and privilege.
If you claim that science fiction is comparable to other forms of literature, you might support
your position with these opinions:
Science fiction introduces readers to new ways of thinking and viewing the world by exploring
new ideas and potential futures.
Like other forms of literature, science fiction explores important questions and issues that affect
people in their everyday lives or humanity as a whole.
Like other forms of literature, science fiction writers make use of language and style to reflect
and develop their themes. Authors often create highly developed alien languages with detailed
grammar and syntax, for example the Klingon language from Star Trek.
Science fiction has well-developed characters who reflect the emotions, fears, and hopes of real
people. Science fiction envisions new worlds to explore social and political realities in a fantasy
setting. For example, a dystopia or dying world may be used to show
Based on your reading of chapter 5 of The Time Machine by H. G. Wells, answer each of the
following questions in a few paragraphs.
Part A
How does the Time Traveller seem to feel about the Eloi and the Morlocks? - CORRECT
ANSWERS The Time Traveller sees the Eloi as a weak, lazy, and unintelligent race evolved
from the aristocratic upper class. He also calls them childish in both their appearance and
