Klara and the Sun

Multiple Choice and Long Answer questions create ideal opportunities for whole-book review, unit exam, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. Which of the following plot scenarios illustrates Klara’s ability to read emotions?

A) She observes the Cootings Machine and instinctively knows it is evil.

B) She knows that Josie would like to adopt her when she sees her in the window.

C) She sees the bull in the field and believes that it should not be above ground.

D) She sees Coffee Cup Lady and knows how she feels about the man she embraces.

2. What does the bull in the field represent to Klara?

A) Evil

B) Illness

C) The Cootings Machine

D) A wicked god

3. Which plot scenario is a metaphor for Klara’s childhood?

A) Her innocence in how she perceives the bull

B) Her time in the store observing people

C) The way Klara interacts with Josie

D) Klara’s interactions with Rick

4. What is the sun an allegorical symbol for in Klara and the Sun?

A) Healing

B) Prosperity

C) Faith

D) God

5. Why does Chrissy ask Klara to imitate Josie?

A) She plans to use Klara’s body to heal Josie.

B) Klara needs help in understanding Josie.

C) Klara is intended to become an AI Josie.

D) She wants Klara to empathize with Josie.

6. What does the pet object Danny carries indicate about the lifted children?

A) They are immature.

B) They are unintelligent.

C) They are playful.

D) They are anxious.

7. What is Klara’s primary programming?

A) To read the emotions of children

B) To make children less lonely

C) To be a playmate to children

D) To socialize children

8. What differences between Rick and Josie create conflicts between them?

A) Being lifted and unlifted

B) Their social status

C) Lack of socialization

D) Their parents

9. What is the best example of foreshadowing in Klara and the Sun?

A) Rick and Melania warn about Mr. Capaldi.

B) Klara promises the sun to remove the Cootings Machine for Josie’s life.

C) Rick and Josie get into an argument.

D) Klara is afraid of the angry bull.

10. Which of the following is an example of the novel’s theme of Sacrifice as an Expression of Love?

A) Vance meets up with Helen to discuss Rick’s future.

B) Mr. Capaldi works long hours to create the AI Josie.

C) Klara removes P-E-G Nine to destroy the Cootings Machine.

D) Rick returns to Josie’s house after they had an argument.

11. Which plot point is most closely connected to an important theme in the novel?

A) Helen’s desire to get Rick into a good school

B) Rick’s struggle as an unlifted child

C) Chrissy’s thoughts about AI versus a heart and soul

D)  Paul’s involvement in a fascist community

12. Which of the following best describes Klara’s growth over the novel?

A Her willingness to sacrifice herself for Josie

B) Her admission that people are complicated

C) Her acknowledgment that she could not be Josie

D) Her religious growth and empathy

13. What does Mr. McBain’s barn represent to Klara?

A) A place for communion

B) An illustration of her faith

C) A place to see the sunset

D) Somewhere for her to hope

14. What misunderstanding leaves people and robots on equal footing in the novel?

A) Neither understands the concept of the soul.

B) Neither understands the depth of feeling they are capable of.

C) Neither is able to assess human emotion accurately.

D) Neither appropriately addresses the possibility of death.

15. Which statement best explains why the parents in the novel experience guilt?

A) Helen had Rick lifted, but Chrissy did not for Josie.

B) Helen feels guilty because Josie will die while Rick will not.

C) Chrissy had Josie lifted, but Helen did not for Rick.

D) Chrissy feels guilty because Josie will die from being lifted.

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating text details to support your response.

1. The bubble game is a source of both enjoyment and tension for Rick and Josie. What does it mean for their relationship?

2. What role does spirituality play in Klara and the Sun, and why is it ironic that Klara herself makes that connection?