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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. In "Mind Surgery," what does Toby take from his field kit?

2. What happens to Toby and Quath after they stop falling from the esty?

3. In "Time's Grip," what does Toby notice about the first bird he sees in the Lane?

4. Who tells Toby a rhyme after Toby and Quath flee from the dead mech-bird?

5. In "Animal Spirits," what happened during the time Toby was missing from the ship?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Toby surprised to sense the Mantis in "Hard Spark?"

2. What is Toby doing at the end of "Rational Laughter?"

3. After Toby and Quath fall from the esty, why does Quath say the esty Lane is so unstable?

4. Describe Toby's experience with Nigel in the last chapter of the book.

5. Describe the people that Toby first encounters in "Rational Laughter."

6. Describe the injured man in "Casualties."

7. In "Eating the Storm," what does Toby realize about the violence down the Lane?

8. What is the message that the injured man has for Toby in "Casualties?"

9. What is the woman doing in the maize fields?

10. How does Shibo try to stop Toby from removing her chip from his head?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What role do friendships play in the story? Be sure to include Toby's friendship with Quath, as well as his friendship with Besen.

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the settings of Argo and the Lanes. Be sure to include both time and place in your response.

Essay Topic 3

Describe the author's writing style. What techniques does he use to create a compelling story? Give at least three specific examples.

(see the answer keys)

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