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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. Why does Berosty kill his kemmering after his return from Thangering Fastness and Weaver Odren?

2. What is the result of Genly's meeting with the king?

3. What is the period of time during which a Gethenian is sexually active called?

4. What happens to Lord Berosty after his kemmering's death?

5. What happens to Genly's passport, once he enters Orgoreyn?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is different about the love in the fable told in Chapter 9?

2. 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?

3. What does the story in Chapter 9 foreshadow?

4. What does it mean when Handdara, the Karhidish religion, is described as having duality?

5. Why does Estraven try to escape Kuseben, and why is he safe once aboard the harbor patrol ship?

6. 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?

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

8. What is the nature of the relationship between Estraven and Tibe, and why?

9. Why is Genly's decision to take money to Estraven on Ashe's behalf significant?

10. What piece of advice does Estraven give Genly while explaining to him what the king will do once he receives word of Genly's capture?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Please describe Lord Berosty's obsession and what it prevents him from doing, as well as Genly Ai's obsession and what it prevents him from doing. Explain the parallels that can be drawn between the two men in regards to their respective obsessions.

Essay Topic 2

In Chapter 17, it is once again stated that death is the only constant in life and that every child has a shadow following it.

1) Do you agree with the idea that death is the only constant in life? Why or why not? Whichever your position, back it up with quotes from or references to the novel.

2) What does "every child has a shadow following it" mean? What is the shadow? Support your statement with excerpts from the novel.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast kemmering and love, as explained in "The Left Hand of Darkness," with marriage and love in today's society.

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