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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 does Snow do before visiting Kelvin?

2. What does Snow do the first time Kelvin sees him after the experiment?

3. What does Kelvin suddenly decide to do?

4. What does Snow tell Kelvin when Kelvin regains consciousness after he finds Rheya missing?

5. Where does Rheya go while Kelvin's brainwaves are being recorded?

Short Essay Questions

1. What formation does Kelvin see as the ship travels to the polar region of Solaris?

2. What reason does Kelvin give for wanting to go off the station?

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

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

5. Why does Kelvin go to the library?

6. What book does Kelvin read in the library?

7. Why does Rheya lie to Kelvin about what she did during the night?

8. What is Gravinsk's Compendium commonly used for?

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

10. Describe the ocean as Kelvin sees it, after leaving the research station for the first time.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the conflict in the novel Solaris.

1) To what extent is Solaris an antagonist in the novel? In conflicting with Solaris, do the characters struggle against another "person" or against nature, or both?

2) Rheya is a reflection of Kelvin's unconscious mind. To what extent is Kelvin's conflict with himself, as opposed to with an outer force or being?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Kelvin's character and what Kelvin learns from his experiences on Solaris.

1) Does Kelvin grow and change throughout the story? How does his relationship with Rheya change?

2) Does Kelvin gain a deeper understanding of himself, the ocean, or mankind? If so, what understanding does he gain, and how does he gain it?

3) Why does Kelvin decide to stay on Solaris at the end of the novel? What does he hope to find or achieve on Solaris?

(see the answer keys)

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