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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. The destroyed water pipe is believed to perform what function?

2. What does Kin take with her from her hiding place?

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

4. The group discovers a monument of some kind which is somewhat like which real world monument?

5. The demon claims that is was knocked out of the sky by _________.

Short Essay Questions

1. What causes the brawl in the Great Hall?

2. What happens to Silver as she and the others near the hub?

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

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

5. What is unusual about the stars seen from the flat planet?

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

7. What is Marco's plan, and what do Kin and Silver think about it?

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. Why is Kin arrested?

10. What does the group discover at the ship's crash-site?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"The Hero's Journey," a collection of archetypal story elements, was suggested by Joseph Campbell as an explanatory tool for understanding storytelling. The structure of this novel demonstrates several of Campbell's archetypes.

Part 1) Explain Campbell's "Hero's Journey." Could the author have been aware of this concept, and does it appear to have informed his writing?

Part 2) Discuss ways in which elements of the plot correspond to stages from the hero's journey. Explain each stage that applies and cite the section from the book that corresponds to it, giving examples and a full explanation of the correspondence.

Part 3) Discuss stages of the hero's journey that are not present in the novel. Are these omissions demanded by the plot? Would the story have been significantly enhanced by the addition of any particular archetype?

Essay Topic 2

There are many alien races presented in the book, and sometimes their differences are very important to the storyline.

Part 1) Enumerate the various alien races presented in the book, and describe their important characteristics.

Part 2) How do the historical races affect the story?

Part 3) How do the characteristics of the living races affect the story? Provide examples of times when non-human characters were driven more by their racial tendencies than their unique personalities.

Part 4) How and when do these characters overcome their predispositions for the better of themselves and those around them?

Essay Topic 3

The strata machine, invented by either the Spindle Kings, the Wheelers before them, or possibly some earlier race, is capable of creating new planets. This is the primary occupation of the Company, and it has given them immense power as well as ensuring the survival of the human race. There is not much detail given about the process of creating a new planet. This essay addresses that subject in a creative fashion.

Part 1) How does the process of building a planet begin? What factors have to be determined during the planning stage? What personnel and resources are required for the operation?

Part 2) What is the first step in the actual construction of the planet? How does construction proceed from these first stages through to the completion of the project?

Part 3) What are some special considerations that have to be taken into account in the final touches of planet creation?

Part 4) How are colonists selected and placed on the planet, and how is the planet maintained and monitored?

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This section contains 911 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample