1. Let's begin with the not-so-fearless leader of this exploratory expedition, an alien known as a Pierson's puppeteer. Nessus's ability to take risks is enough to make him insane in the eyes of his notoriously cautious people, but that doesn't mean they don't have a job for him. What is he promised in exchange for leading a mission to the Ringworld? The ability to have children A certificate of sanity Incalculable riches A ticket off the puppeteer world

2. Nessus's first recruit is a human from Earth, Louis Wu, the viewpoint character of the book. The book opens with Louis's celebration of a milestone birthday, and his musings on an increasingly boring life. How old is he? 50 75 100 200

3. The third member of the crew also joins on Earth, but he is no Earthling. Speaker-to-Animals is a diplomat from a world that has pursued several disastrous (for them) wars with the humans; now they are trying their hands at peace. What is the name of his species, which resembles eight-foot-tall bipedal tigers? Slaver Outsider Kzin Kdatlyno

4. Teela Brown, another human, is the last member to join. She's young (only 20 years old) and has led an unusually painless existence. Nessus wants her to join the crew because he believes that she has been bred for luck. How? For five generations running, only global Birthright Lottery wins allowed her ancestors to be born. For two generations running, only state lottery wins allowed her ancestors to afford parenting licenses. For seven generations running, her ancestors lived on space stations, where a single moment of bad luck could have doomed the whole crew. For six generations running, each of her ancestors had a narrow escape from violent accidental death.

5. Of course, none of our adventurers volunteer for the trip out of a sense of excitement. Teela goes because she's fallen in love with Louis, and he's going. Nessus offers Louis and Speaker an unspeakably valuable prize for their service. What is it? Citizenship with the puppeteers A puppeteer doctor to train each world in the latest surgical techniques. A library containing the sum of puppeteer knowledge An innovative ship that takes only 1 minute and 15 seconds to travel an entire light year

6. In addition to the main prize, Louis asks to know the location of the puppeteer homeworld as the price of joining the crew. Nessus agrees (suspiciously quickly) to show it to him. Where is it? At the galactic core Only three light-years from the Kzin homeworld On the opposite side of the Sun from the Earth En route out of the galaxy

7. As the journey begins, Speaker attempts a coup, hoping to abscond to his people with the prize. How does Nessus maintain command? He cuts the oxygen levels to the ship's cabin. Using a device called a tasp, he stimulates the pleasure centers of Speaker's brain. He threatens Speaker with a fearsome weapon -- a Slaver disintegrator. He creates a distraction until Louis and Teela are able to subdue Speaker.

8. When our heroes arrive at the Ringworld, they begin by making careful observations to better understand who and what they're dealing with. Unfortunately, this research period is abruptly ended when they are forced to crash land on the surface. Why? They are shot down by a manned warship from the Ringworld. Teela accidentally breaks the main fuel line, causing their precious fuel to vent to space. A powerful solar flare causes a critical systems failure. They are shot down by the Ringworld's automated defenses.

9. Trapped on the Ringworld surface, our crew must interact with the natives if they are to have any hope of lifting off again. Which of these is the best description of the majority of the native Ringworld population? Humanoids at a low technological level Humanoids with control of incredibly futuristic technology Kzinti at a low technological level Never-before-seen aliens with control of incredibly futuristic technology

10. A crucial insight finally allows our crew to get spaceborne again -- but they leave one member behind. Who stays on the Ringworld with the companionship of a native? Louis Speaker Nessus Teela