Project Hail Mary

Chapters 1-4

Reading Check

1. A thin red line of IR (infrared) light that arcs from the Sun toward Venus (Chapter 1)

2. A middle school science teacher (Chapter 3)

Short Answer

1. Grace’s theory is that liquid water is not necessary to sustain life. (Chapter 3)

2. Grace wants to return to the lab because of “his kids.” He realizes his students will experience starvation, causing many to die as the apocalypse nears. He feels he must help in solving the Astrophage problem. Stratt initially thinks his choice is due to his bruised ego, but in this moment of crisis Grace makes an unselfish choice because he cares about his students. This indicates qualities of selflessness and a willingness to sacrifice a job he loves to save people he cares about. (Chapter 4)

Chapters 5-8

Reading Check

1. They are the three Astrophage cells Stratt allows Grace to keep in the lab after sending the rest to top scientists around the globe. (Chapter 5)

2. He accidentally breeds Astrophage, resulting in a fourth cell, Shemp. (Chapter 5)

Short Answer

1. Grace’s long trip indicates the scope of Stratt’s jurisdiction and the global efforts of different countries to cooperate for humanity’s collective survival.