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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. One of the devices that Jago Jalo shows to Kin is capable of creating unlimited amounts of which of the following?

2. The characters see what feature at the edge of the flat planet?

3. The faith of the natives that Kin and the others first meet best approximates which world religion?

4. Which of the following is true of Kin's past relationships?

5. Marco's mother underwent treatments before his birth to alter him in what way?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is unusual about the raven's behavior as the group prepares to leave Kung?

2. What is the result of the attack on the group, and what do they learn about their attackers?

3. What is Marco's background, and what does he believe about himself?

4. What are some of the technological resources that the group has at their disposal, and how will these things help them?

5. As they fly around the flat planet, what do Kin and the others observe and conclude about it?

6. What does a watcher do, and what is required of a watcher?

7. Describe the explorers first interactions with the inhabitants of the flat planet.

8. What are Shand proteins, and how are they important to Silver?

9. Describe Silver's appearance and personality. Why is she interested in the flat planet?

10. What things are unusual about the ship that Jago arranged for the expedition?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The raven is a large unknown in the novel. Its nature is never fully explained. It is certainly not a normal raven, since it can burn through a metal cage, appear to be intelligent, and can keep up with Kin and the others as they fly across the flat planet. It could easily have been built by the creators of the flat planet, since it is not obviously more advanced than other robotic constructions that the explorers discover on the planet. However, it was given as a "gift" to Jago on the distant Kung, making its origins mysterious.

Part 1) What is known about the raven? How does it join the group, and what are its apparent motives? What are its known or probable capabilities?

Part 2) Explore the mission of the raven. At the end of the novel, was that mission a failure or a success?

Part 3) Speculate as to what group created the raven, and why.

Part 4) How is the raven connected to Kin and the others, and what will its creators do with it now?

Essay Topic 2

Jago Jalo is an interesting character about whom little is known. Most of his story must be interpolated from a small amount of information in the novel.

Part 1) What was Jago like before he was sent out on the Terminus project? Think about what sort of qualities would qualify someone for a difficult task like this, and what would make a person volunteer for the duty.

Part 2) What were Jago's adventures on the planet like after he crashed? Why was he not accepted as Disc Master, and how was he able to get off the planet?

Part 3) What was Jago's plan upon returning to the planet?

Essay Topic 3

The Company is an organization of enormous power. It literally has power over life and death, and wields enormous influence in human culture. Kin's loyalty to the Company affects significant parts of the story.

Part 1) Describe the Company, it's history, and its goals.

Part 2) How well has the Company succeeded in its goals? Have its aims changed at all from the time of its founding?

Part 3) Why is the Company so large and influential? How is the Company's power seen in the story?

Part 4) Explain some of the consequences, both positive and negative, of the Company's enormous influence. Has it changed human society for the better, or for worse?

(see the answer keys)

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