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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. Who pleads with Kin's captors not to do what they were planning to do with her?

2. How does Marco misuse the dumbwaiter during the group's first night at the sailor's homeland?

3. The locals who arrested her believe Kin to be __________.

4. The flying statue that takes Kin out of the place she hides in has the form of which of the following?

5. How does the winged demon communicate with Kin?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Kin's feelings about the Company begin to change soon after the dumbwaiter is destroyed?

2. What causes the brawl in the Great Hall?

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

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

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

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

7. What do Kin and Marco resolve to do until Shand proteins can be found for Silver?

8. How is the dumbwaiter destroyed?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Arthur C. Clarke once said that "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." Technology plays an important part in driving the story, and it affects many situations and characters. The technology that Kin and the others possess is miraculous to the inhabitants of the flat planet. In turn, the technology that runs the planet is miraculous to Kin and the others.

Part 1) Explain the significance of Clarke's quotation about technology to this story. Does the author seem to be aware of this concept? How does that awareness affect the setting?

Part 2) In what major ways does technology play a role in the story? How would these elements of the story be impossible without this highly advanced technology?

Part 3) How does the technology that Kin and the others possess appear to the inhabitants of the flat planet, and how do they react to it?

Part 4) How does the technology that runs the flat planet appear to Kin and the others? How do they react to it, and how does it affect them?

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

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?

(see the answer keys)

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