View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What are Kelvin's brainwaves recorded onto?

2. What is the common perception of Solaris during the first period of Solarist study that Gravinsky identifies?

3. What decision does Kelvin make at the end of the novel?

4. What does Snow think there is a chance for, based on their experiences?

5. What does Snow say that Sartorius is planning to cure?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why doesn't Kelvin share his doubts about the upcoming experiment with Rheya?

2. How does Snow describe Rheya's final moments?

3. Does Snow believe Kelvin when Kelvin says he loves Rheya?

4. Describe Sartorius' speech to Kelvin before the experiment.

5. Describe an extensor.

6. Why does Rheya choose the method she uses to try to kill herself?

7. Describe the ocean as Kelvin sees it, after leaving the research station for the first time.

8. Why does Snow want to give Kelvin a job to do?

9. Why does Kelvin say he doesn't want Rheya to overhear his conversation?

10. What can't Kelvin find, when he wakes in the morning?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What does the novel say about unknowability? Discuss whether the nature of Solaris' ocean is knowable, based on external information, which is the only information available to humans. Discuss whether the nature of another human being is knowable, also based on the external information that is the only information available to others. Is it possible to truly know one's self, even though an individual is privy to his or her own private life? Use examples from the novel, and explain the author's point of view in your analysis.

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Evaluate Rheya's individuality and separateness from Kelvin.

1) Why can't Rheya leave Kelvin's sight when she first appears, and why does she grow more physically independent the longer she exists?

2) Does Rheya merely reflect Kelvin's deepest memories, thoughts, and beliefs, or is she separate from him?

3) Does Rheya become an individual over the course of the story, or is she trapped into being a reflection of Kelvin's thoughts and memories?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 721 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample