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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 is the city different to other cities in which Shevek has lived?

2. What is Shevek accused of when he tells a joke in physics class?

3. What image does Shevek again have to confront when his mother leaves?

4. Which character does Bedap say has spent time on Segvina Island Asylum?

5. Why does the second officer not trust Shevek?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what way does Efor stoke Shevek's sense of failure?

2. How does seeing Odo's grave and prison give Shevek a better perspective?

3. What is Shevek's world like?

4. What symbolizes the fact they may not be living in a truly free society?

5. In what ways does Shevek feel isolated?

6. Why do you think the citizens of Anarres do not climb the wall?

7. Why does Tirin rebel against his society's view of the universe?

8. How does living in Abbeney widen Shevek's limited experience?

9. How does time again become an issue in this chapter?

10. In what way does the demonstration wake up the rebels?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ursula Le Gun is known as a feminist science fiction writer.

1) How are her views reflected in the novel?

2) Compare her views to feminism in today's society.

Essay Topic 2

What are Shevak's goals in this book? How does he achieve them? What mistakes does he make? How does he learn from his mistakes?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss if you think the following statement is true. The adult Shevak learns that hope exists to end suffering.

(see the answer keys)

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