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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. Where are Shand proteins naturally found?

2. What vital thing does Silver need from the dumbwaiter?

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

4. What race is Silver?

5. Kin thinks that the humans on the flat planet suspect which of the following?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does each character do during the journey to the flat planet?

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

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

5. What things are unusual about the ship that Jago arranged for the expedition?

6. How does Jago die?

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

8. According to Joel, what are the consequences of the forgery of day bills? What does Joel do as a result?

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

10. What does the Company provide for humanity as a whole and, specifically, for its employees?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At the end of the novel, it is revealed that the planet must be managed and maintained by the action of a human operator, the "Disc Master," who controls the machinery of the planet and manages its day to day activity. It is a position of huge responsibility that Kin accepts at the end of the story.

Part 1) Explain who the Disc Master is and why he is necessary for the planet's operation. Why would the planet's creators incorporate this feature into the planet's design?

Part 2) Describe what the Disc Master's usual duties might be on a day to day basis. What unusual types of situations would call for special care?

Part 3) Kin eventually accepts the role of Disc Master. Would this be an easy thing for most people to accept? What qualities would make a person a good candidate for becoming the Disc Master? Will Kin make a good Disc Master?

Essay Topic 2

Exploration is a major theme of the novel. Alongside creation, it is presented as one of the defining characteristics of intelligence species. Exploration initiates and ends the story.

Part 1) Outline the importance of exploration in the novel. In what ways does it affect the storyline?

Part 2) Which characters are affected by the drive for exploration? Does it have a positive or negative impact on them?

Part 3) How is the drive for exploration presented as an important feature of intelligent life?

Part 4) How does exploration in this story relate to the concept of creation?

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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