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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 did Houwha believe was Gallat's reason for leaving Kelenli out of the Plutonic Engine?

2. Whose diary does Nassun find at Corepoint?

3. Why do Danel and Essun argue before crossing the desert?

4. Why did Yaetr Innovator Dibars say he was concerned after he analyzes his findings on orogenes and the frequency of Seasons?

5. How does Nassun respond when Essun asks if she is alright?

Short Essay Questions

1. What reason does the Earth give Nassun for stealing magic from the humans?

2. When Steel, Antimony and Hoa meet, what reasoning does Steel give for manipulating Nassun?

3. What does Hoa call it when Nassun uses magic and orogeny at the same time?

4. How does Steel explain Schaffa's longevity compared to other Guardians?

5. Why is Schaffa narrating the story to Essun?

6. How does Nassun respond when Essun hesitates to help her activate the obelisk gate?

7. Why did Houwha believe that the other Conductors disrespected Gallat?

8. What happens to the tuners on their way to Kelenli’s home during their second lesson?

9. How did the Earth access the Plutonic Engine when Syl Anagist first activated it?

10. What does the Earth do after it agrees to peace with humanity?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Characters in the novel are deeply tied to the geography of the world around them. Some geographical features, such as the Stone Forest and the twin calderas surrounding the Station, serve as the backdrop for major story moments. Choose one geographical feature from the text and analyze the role it plays in the plot. What logistical challenges does it introduce for the characters? What social or psychological struggles follow from the presence of this geographical feature?

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay explaining the importance of fragmentation in the novel’s narrative structure. Why does Hoa shift so much between eras and points of view? How does the fragmentation of the narrative reflect the fragmentation between the characters? How does this fragmentation shape our understanding of the story?

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay describing how Jemisin develops the theme of racism’s beginnings. What social and physical factors lead to racial prejudice in the setting of the novel? How are racist systems perpetuated from one generation to the next? How are racist systems enforced?

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