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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. With regards to Silver's impending madness, what course of action does Kin initially suggest?

2. What does Marco do with the demon, despite Kin's suggestion?

3. Soon after rescuing Kin, the group discovers what kind of a structure?

4. Where do the explorers sleep that night?

5. How does Kin encounter the winged demon?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Kin rescued, and what do the characters think about the manner or her rescue?

2. What does the group discover at the ship's crash-site?

3. How is the dumbwaiter destroyed?

4. What do the explorers come to believe about the machinery of the planet?

5. What are the man on the flying carpet's real motivations?

6. Describe the creature put into the cell next to Kin. What does the group eventually learn and speculate about it?

7. What does the group do with the winged demon?

8. Where does the Djinnee come from, and what does he do?

9. How does Kin escape after the man whom she and the others meet in the desert turns on them?

10. Whom do Kin and the others meet in the desert? What is the result of this meeting?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

There are many alien races presented in the book, and sometimes their differences are very important to the storyline.

Part 1) Enumerate the various alien races presented in the book, and describe their important characteristics.

Part 2) How do the historical races affect the story?

Part 3) How do the characteristics of the living races affect the story? Provide examples of times when non-human characters were driven more by their racial tendencies than their unique personalities.

Part 4) How and when do these characters overcome their predispositions for the better of themselves and those around them?

Essay Topic 3

There are many examples of characters attempting and succeeding in taking revenge in this novel. It is a major theme that causes important changes within characters and drives the plot forward at important points.

Part 1) Which characters attempt or succeed in taking revenge in the novel? What are their motivations? Are they justified in their intentions?

Part 2) How do these actions affect and change these characters? Do they come to regret their actions?

Part 3) What can be said about the overall impact of the desire for revenge in the novel? In general, is it helpful or destructive? If one or more cases are exceptions to this general rule, explain their nature and importance.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,046 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample