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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 the bartender give to Kin?

2. What do Kin and the others do with Jago?

3. Becoming a watcher requires what sacrifice?

4. How does Marco view himself?

5. Which of the following best characterizes the Kung?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Silver's appearance and personality. Why is she interested in the flat planet?

2. Why does Kin feel conflicted about going with Jago?

3. Describe the explorers first interactions with the inhabitants of the flat planet.

4. What is Marco's background, and what does he believe about himself?

5. What are some of the technological resources that the group has at their disposal, and how will these things help them?

6. Describe the steps Kin goes through to get to the ship after she arrives at Kung.

7. What does the Kung bartender's action say about Kin's fame?

8. What is learned about Jago during Silver and Marco's first encounter with him face-to-face?

9. For whom does Kin Arad work, and what does she do?

10. As they fly around the flat planet, what do Kin and the others observe and conclude about it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Forgiveness plays a role in the story alongside vengeance. However, with the culture clash between the locals and the explorers, and the brutal nature of the planet, it is difficult for forgiveness to overcome vengeance.

Part 1) Explain some examples of forgiveness being extended in the story. How does this act affect the progression of the story, and what would be the consequences had it not been given?

Part 2) Describe some examples where an act of forgiveness would have benefited the characters. Why was this course of action not taken? How would the story be different if it had been taken?

Part 3) Explain some situations in which the desire for revenge won out over forgiveness. Why did this occur? What could have happened differently to cause these various characters to forgive?

Essay Topic 2

There are many examples of characters attempting and succeeding in taking revenge in this novel. It is a major theme that causes important changes within characters and drives the plot forward at important points.

Part 1) Which characters attempt or succeed in taking revenge in the novel? What are their motivations? Are they justified in their intentions?

Part 2) How do these actions affect and change these characters? Do they come to regret their actions?

Part 3) What can be said about the overall impact of the desire for revenge in the novel? In general, is it helpful or destructive? If one or more cases are exceptions to this general rule, explain their nature and importance.

Essay Topic 3

The Company is an organization of enormous power. It literally has power over life and death, and wields enormous influence in human culture. Kin's loyalty to the Company affects significant parts of the story.

Part 1) Describe the Company, it's history, and its goals.

Part 2) How well has the Company succeeded in its goals? Have its aims changed at all from the time of its founding?

Part 3) Why is the Company so large and influential? How is the Company's power seen in the story?

Part 4) Explain some of the consequences, both positive and negative, of the Company's enormous influence. Has it changed human society for the better, or for worse?

(see the answer keys)

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