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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 does Snow say might happen if Kelvin leaves with Rheya?

2. During the period after the experiment, how does Snow communicate with Kelvin?

3. How long will it take to receive a reply from Earth?

4. Where does Kelvin ask Rheya to wait while he visits Snow?

5. Why is Kelvin uncertain about participating in Sartorius' experiment?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Describe an extensor.

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

4. Describe a mimoid.

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

6. How does Kelvin imagine his return to Earth?

7. What book does Kelvin read in the library?

8. What reason does Kelvin give for wanting to go off the station?

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

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

At a sub-molecular level, Rheya is not human. Yet, on a normal level, Rheya is indistinguishable from a human being. Discuss Rheya's status as a person.

1) Is it possible that Rheya has no real "thought" process and is merely mimicking the behavior of a sentient creature? How would Kelvin know?

2) Should Rheya be treated as a person, with the rights and privileges of a human being? To what extent is she a person?

3) Could Rheya know if her thought process was fundamentally completely different from others', as long as her actions were human-like, and would it matter?

Essay Topic 2

The ocean of Solaris is a life form that is inexplicable both from a physics perspective and from a human consciousness perspective.

1) Can mankind ever understand anything that's truly different from itself, and does this preclude an understanding of Solaris?

2) Do any of the explanations advanced for Solaris' ocean define it outside of the context of humanity, or are they all reflections of human experience?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the significance of the setup and layout of the space station setting.

1) The space station when Kelvin arrives is in complete disarray. Discuss the reasons for and significance of the state of the research station.

2) The library is an important element of the story, and a place Kelvin goes when he needs to escape. Discuss the significance of the library and how the author utilizes it in the story.

3) Kelvin's room looks out over Solaris' ocean and is the first place that Rheya appears to Kelvin. Discuss the significance and role of Kelvin's room and its view of the ocean.

(see the answer keys)

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