View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. After the explorers and the sailors are attacked during the trip to the sailor's homeland, Kin draws what conclusion about the attackers?

2. How does Marco view himself?

3. What are the Spindle Kings credited with creating?

4. The Company typically compensates its employees in what way?

5. What is the function of a strata machine?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to the ship during its approach to the surface, and what is the result of this?

2. Who is Jago Jalo, and why does he seek out Kin Arad?

3. What things are unusual about the ship that Jago arranged for the expedition?

4. For whom does Kin Arad work, and what does she do?

5. What are some of the technological resources that the group has at their disposal, and how will these things help them?

6. Describe Silver's appearance and personality. Why is she interested in the flat planet?

7. What do Kin and the others do with Jago after he dies? What do they plan to do with him in the future?

8. What evidence does Jago produce to back up his claims about the flat planet?

9. According to Joel, what are the consequences of the forgery of day bills? What does Joel do as a result?

10. What is learned about Jago during Silver and Marco's first encounter with him face-to-face?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The strata machine, invented by either the Spindle Kings, the Wheelers before them, or possibly some earlier race, is capable of creating new planets. This is the primary occupation of the Company, and it has given them immense power as well as ensuring the survival of the human race. There is not much detail given about the process of creating a new planet. This essay addresses that subject in a creative fashion.

Part 1) How does the process of building a planet begin? What factors have to be determined during the planning stage? What personnel and resources are required for the operation?

Part 2) What is the first step in the actual construction of the planet? How does construction proceed from these first stages through to the completion of the project?

Part 3) What are some special considerations that have to be taken into account in the final touches of planet creation?

Part 4) How are colonists selected and placed on the planet, and how is the planet maintained and monitored?

Essay Topic 2

Exploration is a major theme of the novel. Alongside creation, it is presented as one of the defining characteristics of intelligence species. Exploration initiates and ends the story.

Part 1) Outline the importance of exploration in the novel. In what ways does it affect the storyline?

Part 2) Which characters are affected by the drive for exploration? Does it have a positive or negative impact on them?

Part 3) How is the drive for exploration presented as an important feature of intelligent life?

Part 4) How does exploration in this story relate to the concept of creation?

Essay Topic 3

After they crash on the flat planet, Kin and the others interact with its inhabitants in many places and in many different ways. These people, as rough analogues of real historical cultures, serve to illustrate various points that the author wishes to make about those civilizations.

Part 1) Describe the first meeting between the inhabitants of the flat planet and Kin and her companions. What are the results of this exchange? What impression do Kin and the other take away from this experience?

Part 2) Explain the other interactions the explorers have with the locals. How do these compare with their first interactions? Explain ways that the explorer's perceptions of the locals change as a result of later encounters.

Part 3) What impact do the explorers have on the local populations? Explain both immediate and long lasting effects.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,051 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample