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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 biologist pass on her way to the lighthouse in 03: Immolation?

2. What reason does the psychologist give for abandoning the expedition?

3. How does the psychologist explain the fear that the Southern Reach has for Area X?

4. What does the biologist discover underneath the rug in the top room of the lighthouse?

5. Where does the biologist retreat after her encounter with the pale moaning creature in 04: Immersion?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the biologist infer about the man whose face is circled in the picture she discovers in the lighthouse?

2. What does the biologist discover about the black boxes?

3. How does the biologist's description of her parents differ from the psychologist's description of them?

4. What does the biologist discover about the psychologist's body when she descends to the bottom of the lighthouse?

5. What does the biologist discover as she searches the psychologist's body in 04: Immersion?

6. What does the biologist decide about the words in the tower?

7. What happens when the biologist returns to base camp after the psychologist dies?

8. What are the psychologist's first words to the biologist at the bottom of the lighthouse and what do we later learn they mean?

9. How does the "brightness" impact the biologist after she is shot?

10. How does the psychologist respond when the biologist asks for more information about the border crossing?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At multiple points in the novel, the biologist describes the diverse ecosystem that exists within Area X. At multiple times, she thinks back to ecosystems that she has experienced in her work and her personal life. Write an essay analyzing the role that ecosystem play in the action of the novel. In your conclusion, explain the relevance of ecosystems to the novel's themes.

Essay Topic 2

Vandermeer uses strong sensory details throughout the text. He is especially prone to using vivid color descriptions. Write an essay analyzing Vandermeer's use of color in the text. Describe when it appears and analyze its impact on the tone of the novel and the development of the characters.

Essay Topic 3

Is this a feminist text? Analyze specific details in the text to help you support your thesis. Be sure to include the definition of feminist and include a feminist critique of the novel.

(see the answer keys)

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