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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. Why does Snow want to go off the station with Kelvin?

2. What does Kelvin say he wants to do?

3. What does Sartorius ask Kelvin to think about during the electroencephalogram?

4. What problem does Kelvin see in bringing Rheya to Earth?

5. What does Snow think there is a chance for, based on their experiences?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe an extensor.

2. Why doesn't Kelvin want to open a communications channel to the shuttle he launched?

3. What does Rheya say in her suicide note?

4. Describe a mimoid.

5. What metaphor does Kelvin use to describe trying to understand Solaris?

6. What can't Kelvin find, when he wakes in the morning?

7. What is Snow's response to Sartorius' new experiment?

8. How does Snow describe Rheya's final moments?

9. How does Rheya describe being away from Kelvin?

10. Why does Kelvin go to the library?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At a sub-molecular level, Rheya is not human. Yet, on a normal level, Rheya is indistinguishable from a human being. Discuss Rheya's status as a person.

1) Is it possible that Rheya has no real "thought" process and is merely mimicking the behavior of a sentient creature? How would Kelvin know?

2) Should Rheya be treated as a person, with the rights and privileges of a human being? To what extent is she a person?

3) Could Rheya know if her thought process was fundamentally completely different from others', as long as her actions were human-like, and would it matter?

Essay Topic 2

Evaluate Rheya's individuality and separateness from Kelvin.

1) Why can't Rheya leave Kelvin's sight when she first appears, and why does she grow more physically independent the longer she exists?

2) Does Rheya merely reflect Kelvin's deepest memories, thoughts, and beliefs, or is she separate from him?

3) Does Rheya become an individual over the course of the story, or is she trapped into being a reflection of Kelvin's thoughts and memories?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the significance of the setup and layout of the space station setting.

1) The space station when Kelvin arrives is in complete disarray. Discuss the reasons for and significance of the state of the research station.

2) The library is an important element of the story, and a place Kelvin goes when he needs to escape. Discuss the significance of the library and how the author utilizes it in the story.

3) Kelvin's room looks out over Solaris' ocean and is the first place that Rheya appears to Kelvin. Discuss the significance and role of Kelvin's room and its view of the ocean.

(see the answer keys)

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