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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 Kin do with Jago's forgery?

2. What is the function of a strata machine?

3. How old is Kin Arad?

4. What do Kin and the others decide to do with the ship?

5. How does Marco view himself?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Jago Jalo, and why does he seek out Kin Arad?

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

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

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

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

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

7. What does the Kung bartender's action say about Kin's fame?

8. How did the strata machine chance human history?

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

10. Why does Kin feel conflicted about going with Jago?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"The Hero's Journey," a collection of archetypal story elements, was suggested by Joseph Campbell as an explanatory tool for understanding storytelling. The structure of this novel demonstrates several of Campbell's archetypes.

Part 1) Explain Campbell's "Hero's Journey." Could the author have been aware of this concept, and does it appear to have informed his writing?

Part 2) Discuss ways in which elements of the plot correspond to stages from the hero's journey. Explain each stage that applies and cite the section from the book that corresponds to it, giving examples and a full explanation of the correspondence.

Part 3) Discuss stages of the hero's journey that are not present in the novel. Are these omissions demanded by the plot? Would the story have been significantly enhanced by the addition of any particular archetype?

Essay Topic 2

The strata machine, invented by either the Spindle Kings, the Wheelers before them, or possibly some earlier race, is capable of creating new planets. This is the primary occupation of the Company, and it has given them immense power as well as ensuring the survival of the human race. There is not much detail given about the process of creating a new planet. This essay addresses that subject in a creative fashion.

Part 1) How does the process of building a planet begin? What factors have to be determined during the planning stage? What personnel and resources are required for the operation?

Part 2) What is the first step in the actual construction of the planet? How does construction proceed from these first stages through to the completion of the project?

Part 3) What are some special considerations that have to be taken into account in the final touches of planet creation?

Part 4) How are colonists selected and placed on the planet, and how is the planet maintained and monitored?

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)

This section contains 1,012 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample