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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 the Ekumen send only one representative to Karhide?

2. If a Gethenian becomes pregnant, how long is the gestation period (i.e., the amount of time it takes before the baby is born)?

3. This city is the capital of the nation of Karhide:

4. What significance does the Sarf have for Genly?

5. Shortly after his arrival in Orgoreyn, Genly is invited to lunch with Commensals Obsle and Yegey. What information does Genly divulge to his hosts during this luncheon?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why does Estraven enter dothe after he arrives at the farm where Genly is being held?

3. Why does Herbor, Lord Berosty's kemmering, offer his life for a Foretelling by the Weaver Odren after Berosty locked himself away?

4. What is the significance of the completion of the Arch of River Gate?

5. In Chapter 5, Genly frets about the slowness of the boats and complains about how long his mission is taking. Why do you think Genly is so impatient throughout Chapter 5?

6. 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?

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

8. What "tale" of his planet does Genly tell Asra?

9. Why does darkness follow each child born to Edondurath and his partner?

10. As in the two Gethenian myths encountered previously, what is one of the themes that Chapter 6 deals with? Explain.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Chapter 6, we realize that Estraven is on Genly's side and is trying to advocate for him. This contradicts what the king told Genly during his meeting with him in Chapter 3, which was that Estraven had been counseling the king against cooperating with Genly. Please compare and contrast, using examples from the book, what King Argaven told Genly during his meeting about Estraven, as well as what Estraven told Genly in Chapter 1 about no longer being able to help him, with what Estraven has actually been doing to help Genly. As we know, sometimes words and actions don't always match up. Additionally, explain why you believe Estraven continued to help Genly even though he told Genly he could not do so.

Essay Topic 2

Was it a necessary or a needless thing for Estraven to allow Tibe's men to kill him? Why or why not? Did Estraven allow his death to happen in order to protect Genly, or did he commit suicide to avoid deportation to Orgoreyn? Please support your answers with specific references to the text.

Essay Topic 3

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.

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