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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What name does Estraven give the man who rescues him?
(a) Therem of Estre.
(b) Therem of Stok.
(c) Arek of Estre.
(d) Estraven.

2. The relationship between which two characters is introduced in Chapter 1?
(a) Estraven and Tibe.
(b) King Argaven and Tibe.
(c) Genly Ai and Estraven.
(d) Genly Ai and King Argaven.

3. When baby Therem (also called Estraven) grows up, what happens to him?
(a) He gives birth to a child who will eventually become King Argaven I.
(b) He vows kemmering to Therem of Stok.
(c) His kemmering sons attack and kill him after he is named heir of Estre.
(d) His kemmering sons attack and wound him after he is named heir of Estre.

4. When does the story in Chapter 2 take place?
(a) Yesterday.
(b) 10 years in the future.
(c) 200 years ago.
(d) 50 years ago.

5. Who is the Prime Minister in Chapter 1?
(a) Genly Ai.
(b) Tony Blair.
(c) Pemmer Harge rem ir Tibe ('Tibe' for short) .
(d) Therem Harth rem ir Estraven (Estraven for short).

6. What happens for the first time in Chapter 6?
(a) We see the chapter's events unfold through Genly Ai's eyes.
(b) We see the themes of love and betrayal introduced.
(c) We understand why Estraven was accused of treason.
(d) We see the chapter's events unfold through Estraven's eyes.

7. The planet on which Genly Ai is stationed is called 'Gethen' by its inhabitants. What do humans know this planet as?
(a) Formaldehyde 5.
(b) Winter.
(c) Summer.
(d) Earth.

8. Why does the Ekumen send only one representative to Karhide?
(a) The Ekumen believe that one voice speaking truth is a greater force than fleets and armies.
(b) They are low on resources.
(c) Genly is the only ambassador who knows how to speak the Gethenite language.
(d) It is a trick; in actuality, the Ekumen have troops waiting to invade as soon as Genly gives the word to do so.

9. Where does Getheren wind up after he leaves Karhide?
(a) The Pering Ice.
(b) Orgoreyn.
(c) The Hearth of Shath.
(d) The Gobrin Ice.

10. What is the advice that Estraven gives Genly during his visit to Genly's apartment in Mishnory?
(a) He tells Genly that he is being used as a tool and that it will harm him if he isn't careful.
(b) He tells Genly to encourage Orgoreyn to join the Ekumen.
(c) He tells Genly to leave Orgoreyn as soon as possible because his life is in danger.
(d) He tells Genly that Orgoreyn is a much better place from which to achieve his mission.

11. What is the name of the place where Estraven is granted asylum, to which he must travel?
(a) South Mishnory.
(b) Orgoreyn.
(c) Therem Harth.
(d) The Township of Mishnory.

12. What is the period of time during which a Gethenian is sexually inactive called?
(a) Menopause.
(b) Somer.
(c) Frigidity.
(d) Kemmer.

13. What unanswerable question did the Lord of Shorth, according to Goss, force the foretellers to answer?
(a) What is the meaning of life?
(b) What happens after death?
(c) Why is the sky blue?
(d) When will I die?

14. Before leaving his homeland, what does Getheren do?
(a) He lays a curse upon the Hearth that plunges it into poverty.
(b) He vows kemmering to his brother, which earns him a death sentence.
(c) He steals the Hearth's wealth, thereby plunging it into poverty.
(d) He bundles up as warmly as he can to protect himself from the cold.

15. How long does Genly's journey to Rer, which is described in Chapter 5, take?
(a) Four weeks.
(b) Four days.
(c) Four hours.
(d) Four years.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the Gethenians' sexual orientation, according to Chapter 3?

2. When Genly finally gets to Mishnory, whom does he find there?

3. What is the Gethenians' mating cycle known as?

4. Whose name comes up during Estraven's dinner conversation with Commensals Yegey and Obsle?

5. What is the name of the Investigator who documents Gethenians' androgyny?

(see the answer keys)

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