Project Hail Mary

Multiple Choice

1. D (Chapter 2)

2. B (Chapters 1-4)

3. B (Chapter 13)

4. C (Various chapters)

5. C (Chapter 8)

6. D (Chapters 11-12)

7. A (Various chapters)

8. C (Chapters 8 and 14)

9. A or B (Chapter 14)

10. A (Chapter 4)

11. B (Various chapters)

12. C (Chapter 26)

13. A (Various chapters)

14. D (Various chapters)

15. A (Chapter 30)

Long Answer

1. Culturally, Rocky and Eridians view food and eating very differently. Rocky identifies the eating process as “biological” and “gross” and does not wish to speak during the activity, citing “social discomfort” because Eridians view it as an unpleasant necessity. (Chapter 16) Grace, however, is thrilled when his food becomes tastier after his coma and dreads returning to coma slurry once his “real food” runs out. (Chapter 24) Additionally, the overarching conflict is Astrophage’s biological imperative to “feed” on the sun, which may result in societal collapse and wars “fought for the same reason most wars in ancient times were fought for: food.” (Chapter 26) Finally, Grace’s ultimate survival once he reaches Erid comes down to food: He experiences malnourishment with a Taumoeba diet, but eventually the Eridians “managed to clone [his] muscle tissue and grow it in labs,” and Grace eats a balanced diet of vitamin shakes and “meburgers.” (Chapter 30)

2. It is ironic in that Grace unintentionally seals his own fate; he carries the coma-resistant gene, and he will become the only choice for the science expert. The decision that Grace urges Stratt to make foreshadows the decision that is made for him; he tells her, “Science and morality both give the same answer here, and you know it” though he does not know that he will later be forced onto the mission against his will. (Chapter 6) While forcing Grace onto the mission is morally questionable, Stratt represents the perspective of pragmatic utilitarian good, and by the time Grace remembers the injustice, he concedes, “Of course I was going to give it my all. What else would I do?” (Chapter 24)