The+Gods+and+Their+Machines

[[image:gods_machines.jpg width="155" height="249" align="left"]]General instructions:
Because all of your writing is being published here, you should do whatever you need to do to make it accurate in terms of spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Misspelled words (or words not in the dictionary here) are underlined in red. Please repair any underscored words.

Do you have any questions about what you have read in this section of your book? If you do, start a new discussion topic. Type the basic question into the subject box. Add more information about your question in the message box. For example, you might want to quote part of the text and include the page number of the part you're asking about.

Remember to look at other people's posted questions and read what they have said. Add your own comments in response, if you have any.

12/17/09 FINAL ASSIGNMENT:
Finish your book and write your response to the questions below. Try to complete all of your work by ** Friday, January 8 .**
 * Write a review of this book. Try to use specific examples to back up your opinions. Things you might write about:
 * Did you like it, overall?
 * Did the ending surprise you?
 * Were you satisfied with the ending?
 * Did you like the author's decision to use so much parallel action, going from one set of characters to another (such as switching between Benyan and the other two (Chamus, Riadni)?
 * Is there anything else you want to say about the book?

12/13/09 Assignment #4: **Please complete this by Thursday, December 17-- not Friday.** First, **David and Dariush** -- you need to return to the question from the FIRST assignment about your personal reaction. It's way overdue for an answer. Next, **David,** you need to go back and try again on the question from assignment #2 about Mrs. Archaw and Mr. Morthrom -- comparing their views of the two countries and their people. And **David,** you have two other questions to complete. Look at all of the unlocked questions, read everyone's responses, and post your own response. Please ask if you need some advice about how to do it.

Everyone --- Read through all of the questions below. Then read pages 124 - 153. You'll find the questions again in the DISCUSSION section, where you'll post your replies. **Make sure your replies are complete. Re-read the question when you think you are finished with your answer.**
 * As Chamus and Riadni travel together, Riadni notices many things that show that the people of Altima are much richer and have many more things than her own people. Give one example that someone else has not already posted.
 * Do you think that Riadni and Chamus are beginning to feel friendlier toward each other and to understand each other better as their journey continues -- or not? Give at least one example from the story to support your answer.
 * Have you changed your opinion of any of the three main characters yet (Benyan, Riadni, or Chamus)? If so, what do you think now?
 * How would explain what is going on with Benyan and why he is behaving so strangely?

12/05/09 Assignment #3:
**Please complete this by Friday, December 11.** Read through all of the questions below. You'll find them again in the DISCUSSION section, where you'll post your replies. **Make sure your replies are complete. Re-read the question when you think you are finished with your answer.**

You **all** still need to give a more detailed response to a question from the ** first ** assignment: (That was supposed to happen last time.) **Give your personal reaction** to all the people that you think are major characters.By now, you may want to tell us about more than just Chamus and Riadni. Go back to that question, read what everyone posted, and then give us your ideas in more than just a few words.
 * David**, you still need to work on the last question from assignment #2. Please open that question and give us a better reply.

Then read to the end of page 123. Remember to post your responses to the questions by the due date.
 * You all still need to give a more detailed response to a question from the ** first ** assignment: (That was supposed to happen last time.) Give your personal reaction to all the people that you think are major characters. By now, you may want to tell us about more than just Chamus and Riadni. Go back to that question, read what everyone posted, and then give us your ideas in more than just a few words.
 * When Benyan is given his "final test," he is shown a photograph of Chamus along with his father, and his grandfather. Where did they get it? If someone else posts an answer before you, be sure to explain why you agree or disagree.
 * Try to set up a space for yourself similar to the amount of space Benyan had under the false bottom of the crate. Make sure you measure! How do you think you would feel in that space?
 * When Chamus landed his plane in Bartokhrin, he "just wanted to sit back and enjoy being safe for a few minutes." Can you tell about a time that you were really frightened and felt like that when it was over?
 * Riadni made several important decisions in this section. Tell about one that you think was either foolish or wise. (//Don't just name it// but explain //why// you think as you do.)

11/28/09 Assignment #2:
**Please complete this by Friday, December 4.** Read through all of the questions below. You'll find them again in the DISCUSSION section, where you'll post your replies. Then read to the end of page 71. Remember to post your responses to the questions by the due date.
 * How would you feel if you were the only survivor of some kind of attack that killed everyone else in our building? Compare your feeling to the way Chamus seems to feel. Would it be different for you if it were an accident instead of a deliberate act of destruction?
 * On page 33, Mr. Morthrom talks about the people from the Fringelands that are living and working in Altima. Can you think of any groups in our own society that some people might think of like that? If so, do you agree or disagree with their view? Explain your reasons.
 * Chamus overheard his grandfather (Thomex) talking with some military men about something Thomex was trying to build and also about a plague that will need the Altimans to help the Barthokrins. What do you think is going on?
 * On page 62, after Rumbler bit one of the men in the cave, the man said, "It nearly took off my fingers, Master Elbeth." What did Elbeth's reply mean?
 * The author uses Mrs. Archaw to tell you the history of the relationship between the two cultures (pages 66-71). Compare her attitude toward the Fringelanders to that of Mr. Morthrom. Try to refer to their actual words.

11/22/09 **Your first assignment:**
Read to the end of page 25.Think about the characters you have met in that section.

Then add your responses to the questions below, which are in the DISCUSSION section. **This should be completed by the time you return to school on Monday, November 30.**

Which ones seem like major characters? Choose two or three characters and tell us what you understand about them. Give your personal reactions to each of them. . . for example, if you like one of them, explain why.

Because all of your writing is being published here, you should do whatever you need to do to make it accurate in terms of spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Misspelled words (or words not in the dictionary here) are underlined in red. Please repair any underscored words.

Do you have any questions about what you have read in this section of your book? If you do, start a new discussion topic. Type the basic question into the subject box. Add more information about your question in the message box. For example, you might want to quote part of the text and include the page number of the part you're asking about.

Remember to look at other people's posted questions and read what they have said. Add your own comments in response, if you have any.