Question 1: What is an unreliable narrator, and how is this concept demonstrated in the passage?

Answer: An unreliable narrator is someone whose account cannot be fully trusted; in the passage, inconsistencies and tone suggest the narrator may be distorting events.

Question 2: Identify one narrative technique used by the author to hint at the narrator’s unreliability.

Answer: The use of subtle inconsistencies and shifts in tone suggest unreliability.

Question 3: Which genre is most associated with unreliable narrators and why?

Answer: Science fiction often uses unreliable narrators to explore complex perceptions of reality and identity.

Question 4: Describe how the narrator’s tone influences your perception of her reliability.

Answer: A tone that is overly optimistic or inconsistent can make the narrator seem untrustworthy or mentally unstable.

Question 5: Identify a specific phrase from the extract that might suggest the narrator is not being entirely truthful.

Answer: Students should cite a phrase that appears contradictory or ambiguous, such as 'I knew exactly what was happening,' despite evidence to the contrary.

Question 6: Explain how the use of perspective in this narrative affects the reader’s understanding of the story.

Answer: The perspective limits the reader to the narrator’s point of view, which can be manipulated by her mental state, thus creating uncertainty about the reliability of the account.

Question 7: In a short paragraph, discuss how science fiction as a genre allows writers to explore themes of unreliable narration.

Answer: Science fiction often involves complex worlds and advanced technology, which can distort perceptions of reality and mental states. This setting provides an ideal context for unreliable narrators, enabling writers to question what is real and explore psychological and philosophical themes.

Question 8: Creative Writing Prompt: Write a first-person narrative from the perspective of a scientist who believes their AI assistant is sabotaging their experiment. Use techniques that suggest the narrator might be unreliable.

Answer: Students should craft a narrative that includes ambiguous descriptions, inconsistent details, and perhaps a tone that hints at paranoia or misunderstanding, to imply unreliability.