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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. The author notes these individuals have a similar experience in Spaceland that helps explain what things look like in Flatland.

2. What two body parts are the same on a woman?

3. Where are higher class youths sent for education?

4. Who was the first person to invent color?

5. What shape are women?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain why Hoffman believes Abbott was afraid the writing of the book may tarnish his other writings.

2. Explain the basic process of evolution, as described in Chapter 3.

3. Name some features of the houses of Flatland.

4. What was the Universal Color Bill, and why did women support it?

5. What occurs in society as a result of the Color Revolt?

6. What is the law of nature that helps protect the upper class? Which law of nature do Circles use to help stifle agitation?

7. What are some of the characteristics of women in Chapter 5?

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

9. What occurred when individuals began to question where light came from?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Chapter 9, Abbott discusses the role of women in the near-passage of the Universal Color Bill. Discuss why women wanted the bill to pass, and why they would stand to benefit. Think of an event in history that women helped to shape, and compare the gains of the women in Flatland to the women in your example. Do the women stand to gain in the same ways? Do they differ? How?

Essay Topic 2

Class clearly plays an important role in the novel, both in terms of the storyline and in terms of Abbott's use of symbolism to represent Victorian society. Discuss, in detail, Abbott's overall point about the class structure of society, and it's impact on each of the following:

1. Education

2. The legal system

3. Marriage

4. War

Essay Topic 3

Explain the evolutionary process in Flatland, as explained in Chapter 3. Be sure to include not only the basics given, but also specific information about lower class individuals, Equilateral triangles, and Circles. Compare this evolutionary process to that of humans.

(see the answer keys)

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