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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. Who led the first preliminary study of Solaris, one which did not land on the surface?

2. What is the name of the space ship Kelvin takes from Earth to Solaris?

3. How does Kelvin recognize Snow?

4. Where does the second version of Rheya appear?

5. In Gibarian's room, what does Kelvin discover the scientists have been directing at the ocean?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Kelvin surprised by his greeting when he approaches the research station?

2. Why does Kelvin react emotionally to the two sundresses on the floor?

3. What reason does Kelvin give for his suggestion about the physical composition of the visitors?

4. Who do the records say took The Little Apocrypha out of the library?

5. Is Kelvin on time for his meeting with Snow?

6. Why aren't Berton's experiences related in the Supplement that Gibarian's note directs Kelvin to?

7. Why do Sartorius, Snow, and Kelvin cover the cameras on their videophones?

8. How punctual does Kelvin say he is?

9. Why does Kelvin launch the shuttle?

10. Explain the term "no appreciable relation to reality" as the president of the committee uses it to describe Berton's report.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the novel Solaris, the ocean is depicted as a mirror that shows humanity, on some level, only a reflection of itself, perhaps without even realizing it.

1) Is it possible that Solaris has no real consciousness but is a kind of machine that throws back to the scientists images of their own minds?

2) Is humanity incapable of seeing in Solaris anything but itself, no matter what the truth of Solaris' consciousness may be?

3) Does Solaris show the scientists at any point anything beyond what's in their own minds?

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the history of Solaris in the novel, Solarists have had multiple theories about the nature of Solaris' ocean. Discuss the nature of Solaris' ocean.

1) What are various theories that exist about Solaris' ocean, and why are there so many theories?

2) What is the most plausible theory of Solaris' ocean, based on the events and information in the novel?

3) Is it possible to understand the nature of Solaris' ocean?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Kelvin's character and what Kelvin learns from his experiences on Solaris.

1) Does Kelvin grow and change throughout the story? How does his relationship with Rheya change?

2) Does Kelvin gain a deeper understanding of himself, the ocean, or mankind? If so, what understanding does he gain, and how does he gain it?

3) Why does Kelvin decide to stay on Solaris at the end of the novel? What does he hope to find or achieve on Solaris?

(see the answer keys)

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