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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. According to Hoffman, what is the goal of the novel?

2. What is the Law of Nature?

3. Why does the State believe that aristocratic children who fail exams should be killed?

4. What can inhabitants of Flatland NOT do?

5. What classes are able to use this method?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are some of the characteristics of women in Chapter 5?

2. What happens to irregular figures? Be sure to discuss all irregulars, including those with highly irregular figures.

3. How is the temper of women useful in ridding society of the most brutal of the Isosceles class?

4. Explain why Hoffman believes Abbott was afraid the writing of the book may tarnish his other writings.

5. What example does A. Square use to show his reasoning behind the need for regularity of shape?

6. What is the law of nature that helps protect the upper class? Which law of nature do Circles use to help stifle agitation?

7. What is Hoffman's belief about the relatability of the characters in the novel?

8. Explain the shape of workmen and soldiers, women, the middle class, the professionals, and noblemen, or priests.

9. What are the three rules created for women, in order to protect society? What are the rules in the strictest society?

10. In Chapter 1, what does A. Square compare sight in Flatland to in the three dimensional world, Spaceland, and what is the comparison?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast the King of Pointland, the King of Lineland, A. Square, and the Sphere, including their general characteristics as well as their overall personalities. What are their similarities? What are their differences?

Essay Topic 2

Circles in Flatland strive to achieve a higher shape, and thereby a higher position in society. Explain three ways Circles attempt to improve their shape. What do these changes symbolize in the real world? Do you believe that attaining a higher status in life should be a primary goal? If so, why? If not, what should be a primary goal?

Essay Topic 3

In Chapter 9, Abbott discusses the role of women in the near-passage of the Universal Color Bill. Discuss why women wanted the bill to pass, and why they would stand to benefit. Think of an event in history that women helped to shape, and compare the gains of the women in Flatland to the women in your example. Do the women stand to gain in the same ways? Do they differ? How?

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