2. In Chapter Seventeen, who created a club of sorts which, though not sanctioned by the Emergents, is allowed to exist and draws a great many visitors?

3. Who has medical casts on all his left legs when he and Sherkaner meet for the first time?

4. Who predicts that the Emergents plan is to force the planet inhabitants into servitude in Chapter One?

5. What does Ezr Vinh refer to Qiwi Lin Lisolet as in the novel?

Short Essay Questions

1. What family does Sherkaner learn about from his former teacher in Chapter Four?

2. What took place on the Far Treasure during the attack by the Emergents? What did Jimmy find?

3. What promotion does Ezr receive in Chapter Nine? Why?

4. Who is Thomas Nau and how did he come to his position in the mission?

5. What does Ezr discover about his injury during the attack in Chapter Ten?

6. What creature do Sherk and Tarant encounter during the attack of the supply station in Chapter Seven?

7. How do the Emergents differ from the Qeng Ho in their exploration of other planets?

8. Who explains the use of "mindrot" to Ezr in Chapter Ten? How is it related to "focus"?

9. Who are the Qeng Ho people, and what principle goal do they have as described in Chapter One?

10. Who is Pham Trilini? How is he described in the first chapters of the book?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and analyze the objectives and actions of the Spider civilization in Chapters Eighteen and Nineteen. What is "coldsleep" and is it a biological adaptation?