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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. Because of their education, what method of recognition is considered a serious offense?

2. What is irregularity considered in Flatland?

3. What happens to a line as it gets closer in Flatland?

4. What bill sought to color women and circles the same?

5. What does the editor say is his first reason for writing the preface?

Short Essay Questions

1. What were the events surrounding the spread of desire to color Flatland, and how long did almost complete colorization take?

2. In Chapter 1, what does A. Square compare sight in Flatland to in the three dimensional world, Spaceland, and what is the comparison?

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

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

5. What happens to irregular figures? Be sure to discuss all irregulars, including those with highly irregular figures.

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. Why does Hoffman believe the development of the fourth dimension does not lessen the lessons of the book?

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

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

10. What caused women to turn against the color bill?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Flatland, Abbott uses shapes as representations of individuals within his own society. Choose three shapes from Flatland, and discuss how they relate to the true groups such shapes represent. Be sure to include such concepts as class, intellectual pursuit, and power.

Essay Topic 2

In Chapter 7, A. Square explains what happens to individuals who are shaped irregularly. Discuss the consequences of irregularity in Flatland. Does our society have similar punishments for those who deviate from the norm? Explain your answer by discussing a particular group of individuals who deviate from the norm, and how they are treated by society. Do you believe such treatment is just, or wrong? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Throughout Flatland, there are several examples of biases within the legal system, such as the killing of policemen witnessing the arrival of the Sphere while the higher class Squares are imprisoned. Discuss at least two examples of such biases. What do you think Abbott was trying to say about the relationship between class and justice? Do you believe his points are still valid today? Why or why not? Be sure to support your answer with both concepts from the book and your own experiences.

(see the answer keys)

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