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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. Where does the second version of Rheya appear?

2. In Gibarian's room, what does Kelvin discover the scientists have been directing at the ocean?

3. What is the initial reaction Kelvin gets from the first person he meets?

4. When do the visitors usually come?

5. What does Rheya's blood look like to Kelvin at the cellular level?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Snow say the Polytherian forms are so dangerous?

2. Who was the first human to die in Solaris's ocean?

3. Describe the person Kelvin is shocked to see go into Gibarian's room.

4. Why does Kelvin react emotionally to the two sundresses on the floor?

5. Describe the view of Solaris that Kelvin first sees from his room.

6. Who do the records say took The Little Apocrypha out of the library?

7. Why does Kelvin launch the shuttle?

8. Why aren't Berton's experiences related in the Supplement that Gibarian's note directs Kelvin to?

9. Why do Sartorius, Snow, and Kelvin cover the cameras on their videophones?

10. What is Gibarian's reaction to the eerie sound of footsteps echoing through the station?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of the main dreams of Solarists is contact with the ocean, and so one of the major thematic elements in Solaris is communication.

1) What are the obstacles to communication in Solaris, both between the ocean and the scientists and between the human characters? What is the effect of a lack of communication?

2) Does the ocean attempt to communicate with the scientists?

3) Is communication possible with the ocean?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze the genre of the novel Solaris.

1) How does Solaris utilize the science fiction genre? Why does the author choose a space setting, and how does he utilize science and technology to communicate his themes and ideas?

2) In what ways is Solaris a mystery or psychological thriller? What elements of the mystery/thriller genre does the author use?

3) What elements of the horror/ghost story genre does Solaris use? Is the story of Solaris a horrifying one?

Essay Topic 3

The ocean of Solaris is a life form that is inexplicable both from a physics perspective and from a human consciousness perspective.

1) Can mankind ever understand anything that's truly different from itself, and does this preclude an understanding of Solaris?

2) Do any of the explanations advanced for Solaris' ocean define it outside of the context of humanity, or are they all reflections of human experience?

(see the answer keys)

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