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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 Kelvin tell Rheya about her blood?

2. What does Kelvin tell Rheya when she asks if she looks like the first Rheya.

3. What does Snow say that Kelvin is doing, which Gibarian also did?

4. What does the voice warn Kelvin about, in his dream?

5. Where is Rheya when Kelvin wakes up with a fuzzy head after being drugged?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Rheya describe being away from Kelvin?

2. What reasons does Kelvin have not to tell Rheya what she wants to know?

3. What does Snow say that Sartorius wants to do to the ocean?

4. What is Gravinsk's Compendium commonly used for?

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

6. Describe an extensor.

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

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

9. What book does Kelvin read in the library?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Kelvin has complex emotions about the original Rheya, and these emotions are further complicated by the appearance of a new, duplicate Rheya. Kelvin first destroys one Rheya in a panic, and then wants to save the next. What does Kelvin really want? Discuss Kelvin's ambivalent feelings toward Rheya.

1) How do Kelvin's feelings of guilt and love for the first Rheya affect his attitude to the duplicate Rheyas?

2) Is it possible for Kelvin to distinguish his feelings for the Rheya of Solaris from his feelings for and memories of the original Rheya?

3) On a fundamental level, does Kelvin want Rheya to be there, or does he not want her to be there?

Essay Topic 2

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 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)

This section contains 777 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample