View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What were Edwin Abbott's primary interests?
(a) Literature and social sciences
(b) Literature and theology
(c) Literature and physics
(d) Literature and mathematics

2. What do upper class women do that lower class women try to imitate?
(a) Move their backsides with rhythm
(b) Sing with rhythm
(c) Dance with rhythm
(d) Move their heads with rhythm

3. What class does the Equilateral triangle represent?
(a) Worker
(b) Tradesmen
(c) Woman
(d) Priest

4. The second law for women is:
(a) They must never be in public.
(b) They must speak when spoken to in public.
(c) They must never make a sound in public.
(d) They must continuously make noise when in public.

5. How did the Legislature finally stop individuals from trying to find the source of light in Flatland?
(a) They prohibited the question entirely.
(b) They sent those who questioned to prison.
(c) They taxed them until they stopped asking questions.
(d) They told them the light was from God.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the editor say is the second objection to the novel?

2. According to Hoffman, what is the goal of the novel?

3. What is the third unrecognized dimension in Flatland?

4. What does the Equilateral triangle look like in Flatland?

5. Why are there no windows in houses of Flatland?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the author's primary defense against the idea that A. Square hates women?

2. Summarize A. Square's explanation of Flatland.

3. In Chapter 5, A. Square explains how the Law of Nature provides an alphabet of angles through the birth of irregular angles and shapes. Explain what is done with irregular specimens in Flatland. Be sure to include small angle shapes in your discussion.

4. Based on the end of the Preface, what is the author attempting to say about the ruling class of his time?

5. Explain the shape of workmen and soldiers, women, the middle class, the professionals, and noblemen, or priests.

6. What happened when the Circles regained power following defeat of the color bill? Please be specific.

7. What appears to be the reasoning behind the need for the preface of this novel?

8. What is the author's primary defense against the idea that those in Flatland should recognize thickness, and infer a dimension?

9. Discuss at least two ways the inhabitants of Flatland attempt to alter natural evolution.

10. What happens to aristocratic children who fail exams, and as a result, what does the State feel should happen?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 943 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample