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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. Which of the following does Chie list as irritating?

2. On what constellation does Anton fix his consideration?

3. Which of the following is noted in the novel as a way to say “hello”?

4. What is smeared on scissors on the station?

5. At what time does Shaun first wake in the novel?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why had the moon mission astronauts been treated to a special meal on their last night on earth?

2. Where do lost things on the station go, and why?

3. What question does Shaun’s teacher ask about Las Meninas?

4. Why does Anton posit his brain repeats dreams?

5. Why are the station crew advised to anchor themselves in time?

6. How does the novel describe the beginning of the typhoon?

7. How are the cells with which Anton and Roman work derived?

8. Why does the station boast a Happy Birthday banner?

9. Why is Shaun not surprised his wife remembers their teacher’s discussion of Las Meninas?

10. Why must the station crew exercise for hours daily?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The novel notably lacks an epigraph, something common in novels—and even in works of nonfiction. What effect does the lack of an epigraph have on the narration? How does the effect manifest?

Essay Topic 2

What purpose is served by the novel’s note of the station’s deterioration? How is that purpose served? What effect does it have on reading?

Essay Topic 3

Into what medium is Orbital most apt for adaptation? What in the text tells you as much? How does it suggest that such an adaptation would work?

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