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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 about earth amazes the sorns the most?

2. What interrupts Ransom and the Oyarsa's conversation?

3. Why is the hnakra beloved by the hross?

4. Besides the three races Ransom has heard about, another race, now extinct, lived on Malacandra. What was it?

5. What does the Osarya offer Ransom?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Ransom feel about going with Hyoi on the hunt for the hnakra? What does he want to prove?

2. What happens with the three dead hross?

3. What does Ransom do on the space ship during the return trip to earth?

4. What does Ransom do and what does he see after they land on earth?

5. Explain the history of earth (Thulcandra) and its relationship to Malacandra.

6. Who is brought in front of Oyarsa and what happens?

7. What does the sorn and Ransom do when Ransom enters the cave?

8. Why have Weston and Devine brought Ransom to Malacandra?

9. Besides collecting gold, what is Weston's motivation for coming to Malacandra?

10. Describe a parallel between Ransom leaving to go to the mountains and the beginning of the book.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In this book, description is a large part of the writing. Why do you think Lewis wrote so much description? Did you feel you had a good picture of Malacandra and the inhabitants? Describe some of the terrain, the culture and inhabitants of the planet.

Essay Topic 2

In this book Weston talks about humanity eventually traveling the stars and conquering other planets, because "humans" were the best people ever created. What would you think if you met intelligent beings who did not resemble "humans?" What do you think are characteristics that make humans something other than "animal?" Do you believe a creature other than a "human" could have those characteristics? Why or Why not?

Essay Topic 3

Out of the Silent Planet is an allegory. It is supposed to represent the creation of earth, the fall of the angels from heaven and the fall of humans. Describe parts of the book that you believe correspond to these events.

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