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

2. What does Snow suggest is the reason Rheya is beautiful?

3. What experiment does Sartorius want to perform?

4. What does Snow do the first time Kelvin sees him after the experiment?

5. What result does Kelvin note that Sartorius' experiment has?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Describe a mimoid.

3. Why does Kelvin go to the library?

4. What does Rheya say in her suicide note?

5. What does Rheya want from Kelvin, after she listens to the tape recorder?

6. What does Snow call Rheya?

7. How does Rheya describe being away from Kelvin?

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

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

10. Why doesn't Kelvin want to open a communications channel to the shuttle he launched?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze the genre of the novel Solaris.

1) How does Solaris utilize the science fiction genre? Why does the author choose a space setting, and how does he utilize science and technology to communicate his themes and ideas?

2) In what ways is Solaris a mystery or psychological thriller? What elements of the mystery/thriller genre does the author use?

3) What elements of the horror/ghost story genre does Solaris use? Is the story of Solaris a horrifying one?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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