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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. Two nights and one day after Estraven and Stokven become kemmers, Estraven is attacked by a party from Stok and presumed killed. Stokven tells his countrymen what to do with Estraven's body. Did they follow Stokven's orders?

2. What takes place between Estraven II and Therem of Stok?

3. Where does Genly think about going next, and where does he actually decide to go?

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?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is really in control of Orgoreyn? Is it the Commensals and the Thirty-Three? How does this bode for Genly?

2. Investigator Oppong makes a comment about First Mobiles, specifically that they must be self-assured because their pride will suffer. How does this comment relate to Genly?

3. In chapter 16, why does Estraven ignore Genly while he is in kemmer?

4. What does Commissioner Shusgis do that is so surprising to Genly? Why does it surprise him?

5. What does Genly say to the Commensals that he never mentioned to King Argaven?

6. What does Estraven do to make Genly angry with him? What is the significance, to Genly, of Estraven's behavior?

7. With what does this story say that Lord Berosty is obsessed with?

8. Is Estraven's loyalty to Karhide, or is it to Orgoreyn?

9. What does Genly do during the time it takes him to journey to the border between Karhide and Orgoreyn? How is he treated during his travels?

10. Why is it wise for Estraven to obtain his hunter's license and learn how to hunt while en route to the farm where Genly is imprisoned?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Think about the way Genly and other political prisoners are treated, how they are transported, how they are fed, and how--as well as where--they are housed. What real-life groups of people who behaved and were treated similarly, during what period of history, do the Orgota and their prisoners resemble? In your response, make sure you quote passages from Chapter 13 and show how they parallel the real-life event or events you choose to discuss.

Essay Topic 2

In Chapter 10, Slose wants to make a religion out of Genly. What led him to this odd request, and how would this have benefited, or harmed, both Genly Ai and Orgoreyn?

Essay Topic 3

Near the end of Chapter 5, Faxe tells Genly that the "uncertainty of life makes life possible." Think about what this means, and explain how the uncertainty of life makes life possible. Use examples from the novel, as well as an uncertain time in your own life, as an example.

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