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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. At one point, Genly finds himself alone in the dormitory with a dying inmate named Asra. What does Genly tell Asra about he people on his (Genly's) planet?

2. In Chapter 20, who is the first off the Star Ship after it lands?

3. Whom does Genly visit at the end of spring?

4. What was the Gobrin Ice Plateau like, according to Genly's notes?

5. What illegal (according to the Law of Cultural Embargo) skill does Genly teach Estraven?

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

Once again, Genly is asked in Chapter 16 (this time by Estraven) about gender distinction in humans. Genly explains that gender on Earth determines one's activities, outlooks, ethics, manners, and clothing. It's clear that the issue still remains somewhat of a mystery to Estraven, even after Genly explains it, if not also to Genly.

Based on your personal experiences, please explain how, if you were Genly, you would expand upon his explanations of how gender determines one's activities, outlooks, ethics, manners, and clothing. Use the answers he gives in not only Chapter 16 but elsewhere in the novel where others ask him about this, and expand upon them to better explain the concept of gender distinction to Estraven.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 418 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample