Is a "Go Around" an unfamiliar manoeuvre to a student pilot?

Snowbird,

- Landing clearance simply omitted. (should result in go-around)

Actually, that should result in "xxx tower, please verify N12345 is cleared
to land/option/t&g" in due time in the pattern. And the deeper learning point
in this is: "You are the pilot in command, assert yourself and your needs on
the radio. Don't wait for them to hand down the manna (aka clearance) from
the heavens, ask for clarification before things become a problem."

- Low fly-by to enable tower to inspect a/c (with binoculars) for possible
landing gear defect.

I have never understood the usefulness of that particular maneuver (sp?).
First, what's the likelyhood of the tower people knowing the slightest thing
about landing gear and the specifics of the plane flying by? And second, how
would they see from a flyby whether the gear is locked down or just looks
locked down?

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)