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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. What name does Estraven give the man who rescues him?

2. What is the nineteenth day of the month known as?

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

4. Who is the story in Chapter 9 about?

5. When Stokven realizes he was lied to, what does he do?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Estraven accomplish in Chapter 6 concerning Genly Ai?

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

3. Why is the Shath Domain, Getheren's homeland, experiencing poverty and widespread illness near the end of Chapter 2?

4. How does Chapter 7 tie into Genly's story?

5. Why, in Chapter 15, are Genly and Estraven still calling each other by their last names (respectively, Ai and Therem)?

6. What is kemmering?

7. 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?

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

9. Why does the First Ekumen send only one representative (Genly) to King Argaven to conduct negotiations with him on its behalf?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Explain how the different viewpoints concerning good and evil expressed by the Orgota religion, Yomesh, and the Karhidish religion, Handdara, affect how each country treats Genly Ai, at least on the surface.

Essay Topic 3

Much of Chapter 18, which bears strong themes of isolation, revolves around Genly and Estraven in their tent. Please explain whether or not you believe the tent is an illustration of, or a haven from, the isolation and why. Use passages from the novel (not just Chapter 18) to back up your statements.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 648 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample