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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. How did Rheya die?

2. Why does Kelvin think the warning is strange?

3. Who is inside Kelvin's cabin when he first enters it?

4. What does Kelvin notice about Rheya's foot?

5. In whose handwriting is the envelope Kelvin finds addressed?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Kelvin periodically check to reassure himself that the research station's air circulatory system is working?

2. How punctual does Kelvin say he is?

3. Describe the research station as Kelvin first sees it.

4. Why does Kelvin launch the shuttle?

5. Why is Kelvin surprised by his greeting when he approaches the research station?

6. What is Snow's reaction when Kelvin admits that he has had his first visitor?

7. Describe the change in light between a red-sun day and a blue-sun day on Solaris.

8. Was Gibarian dead when Snow found him?

9. Why does Kelvin react emotionally to the two sundresses on the floor?

10. Why does Snow say the Polytherian forms are so dangerous?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss how Solaris' ocean can be seen as a metaphor for God.

1) Solaris' ocean creates a semblance of human beings, even bringing the dead back to life, at least on one level. In what ways can Solaris' creative power be compared to a god?

2) Solaris' ocean is beyond human understanding. In what ways can Solaris' unknowability be compared to a god?

3) Is Solaris' ocean in any way fundamentally different from a god?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Andre Berton's experiences on Solaris.

1) What are the meanings and implications of what Andre Berton saw? What do they tell us about Solaris' oceans?

2) How are Andre Berton's experiences related to the experiences of the scientists on the research station? Compare and contrast those experiences.

3) Why did the panel disbelieve and suppress Berton's reports of the instance on Solaris? What does this say about the failures of science?

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the history of Solaris in the novel, Solarists have had multiple theories about the nature of Solaris' ocean. Discuss the nature of Solaris' ocean.

1) What are various theories that exist about Solaris' ocean, and why are there so many theories?

2) What is the most plausible theory of Solaris' ocean, based on the events and information in the novel?

3) Is it possible to understand the nature of Solaris' ocean?

(see the answer keys)

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