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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the stranger say about the fourth dimension?

2. Where does A. Square asked to be taken, after the stranger's explanation of those who believe in the fourth dimension?

3. Who controls Flatland?

4. What does A. Square believe the straight lines in his dream to be?

5. How does A. Square attack the stranger?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does A. Square's wife do to the Circle at the end of the chapter? Why does she become afraid and embarrassed?

2. Describe what happens that leads to the imprisonment of A. Square.

3. Why does the Sphere throw A. Square from Spaceland at the end of Chapter 19? Who does Sphere remind you of at this point, and why?

4. Describe the scene between A. Square and his grandson in Chapter 15, and summarize the grandson's argument for a third dimension.

5. Explain A. Square's argument that he is now God, and Sphere's rebuttal in Chapter 18.

6. Explain the only recognition method used in Flatland, and why touch and sight are not used.

7. What situation leads to the taking of A. Square into Spaceland at the end of Chapter 17?

8. What methods does A. Square use to attempt to explain two dimensional space? Summarize the information he explains to the King.

9. Describe the evolution of Circles, and be sure to include both natural evolution and artificial evolution.

10. The Circle attempts to use an analogy to explain three dimensional space to A. Square in Chapter 16. Summarize this analogy.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Fear is a vital theme throughout Flatland, as it is used for a variety of purposes. Choose one of the following situations, and explain how fear is used to control the population. Do you believe this power was abused, or used for a just cause? Do you think fear is still used to control populations? Is this a just method of control? Why or why not?

1. The final meeting of the community to pass or deny the Universal Color Bill

2. The proclamation by the Circles at the end of the novel, in terms of those discussing a third dimension

3. The threat of death for irregular shapes

Essay Topic 2

Throughout Flatland, there are several examples of biases within the legal system, such as the killing of policemen witnessing the arrival of the Sphere while the higher class Squares are imprisoned. Discuss at least two examples of such biases. What do you think Abbott was trying to say about the relationship between class and justice? Do you believe his points are still valid today? Why or why not? Be sure to support your answer with both concepts from the book and your own experiences.

Essay Topic 3

In Flatland, children are often punished as a result of their parent's wishes. Choose one of the following, and discuss what happens to these children in the novel. Is such treatment justified? Why or why not? Does modern society punish the children as a result of parental wishes? How?

1.) Young shapes are surgically altered to create more sides.

2.) Children who fail exams are shunned in society.

3.) Irregular children are used as specimens in schools.

(see the answer keys)

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