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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 interrupts Kin the second time she tries to bathe?

2. Kin and Silver discuss what unusual property of the stars?

3. What kind of structure do Kin and the others discover as they approach the center of the flat planet?

4. What danger is Kin in soon after she and the others land on the first island they find after leaving the sailor's home?

5. What is done with Kin after her captors change their minds?

Short Essay Questions

1. Whom do Kin and the others meet in the desert? What is the result of this meeting?

2. What do the locals intend to do with Kin, and how is this prevented?

3. How are the explorers greeted when they reach the sailors' homeland?

4. How is Kin rescued, and what do the characters think about the manner or her rescue?

5. Where does the Djinnee come from, and what does he do?

6. What happens to Kin and the others at the end of this section?

7. What is the group being followed by, and how is it unusual?

8. What is unusual about the first island that Kin and the others come to after leaving the sailors' homeland? What danger does the group face there?

9. How does the group confirm that they are being followed?

10. What are the man on the flying carpet's real motivations?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Terry Pratchett is an author known for his unusual sense of humor, and humorous events often play a critical role in his novels.

Part 1) Describe the general presence and use of humor in the novel. What dramatic purpose does it generally serve?

Part 2) What are some examples of humorous characters or situations that serve no other purpose than to be entertaining? Do these sections contribute in a positive way to the general mood and tone of the story?

Part 3) Describe some humorous characters or situations which drive the plot forward in important ways, or at important times. How does the use of humor affect these situations?

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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