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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 will happen to Silver if she goes without the crucial thing she needs from the dumbwaiter?

2. What race is Silver?

3. Why does Jago Jalo select Kin to see the planet he has discovered?

4. What does the bartender give to Kin?

5. Which of the following is true of the duration of the journey to the flat planet?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What does a watcher do, and what is required of a watcher?

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

6. How does Jago die?

7. Who is Jago Jalo, and why does he seek out Kin Arad?

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

9. How are the explorers able to communicate with the inhabitants of the flat planet?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Jago Jalo is an interesting character about whom little is known. Most of his story must be interpolated from a small amount of information in the novel.

Part 1) What was Jago like before he was sent out on the Terminus project? Think about what sort of qualities would qualify someone for a difficult task like this, and what would make a person volunteer for the duty.

Part 2) What were Jago's adventures on the planet like after he crashed? Why was he not accepted as Disc Master, and how was he able to get off the planet?

Part 3) What was Jago's plan upon returning to the planet?

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

Throughout the novel, characters are seen to exhibit varying levels of responsibility, especially Kin and Marco. Sometimes they act as the voice of reason or as a protector, other times they do things rashly, or need protection themselves.

Part 1) Which characters are shown taking significant responsibility? Why and how do they do so?

Part 2) At what times do Kin and Marco demonstrate a lack of responsibility. What situations or feelings cause them to suspend their mature decision-making?

Part 3) How do Kin and Marco learn from one another, and how do they support each other? By the end of the novel, have they become more or less responsible?

(see the answer keys)

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