Atlas Shrugged Test | Mid-Book Test - Medium

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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What strange exchange occurs between Dagny and Lillian at he party?
(a) They exchange the names of their dress designers.
(b) They exchange phone numbers so they can meet in New York.
(c) They exchange drinks bacuse Dagny doesn't drink alcohol.
(d) They exchange bracelets, the Rearden Metal bracelet for Dagny's diamond bracelet.

2. When the Taggart board and the Washington influence peddlers meet, what is the irony of their meeting place?
(a) It is held in the terminal beneath the statue of Nathaniel Taggart.
(b) It gives complete control of Taggart Transcontinental to the government.
(c) It is in Dagny's office.
(d) It is unheated because of the coal shortages.

3. What is Rearden's suggestion to Dagny about giving in to the state?
(a) They must find John Galt.
(b) They must hold out as long as they can before complying with the State.
(c) They must find ways to compromise with the State.
(d) They must destroy their businesses before they let that happen.

4. Based on what she knows at the moment, what conclusion does Dagny draw about the disappearance of men like Wyatt?
(a) She thinks they are all joining the communist movement.
(b) She believes they are secretly working on her railroad line.
(c) She thinks they are being kidnapped by the government.
(d) She believes there is a destroyer.

5. How does Rand use the party to show the superficiality of the communist guests?
(a) They pretend to favor defeat for the the Equalization of Opportunity Bill.
(b) They prefer not to talk about politics.
(c) They are all dressed in their finest and wearing flashy jewelry.
(d) They have not invited any rich industrialists to the party.

Short Answer Questions

1. When Dagny demands that Francisco tell her why Ellis Wyatt will be wiped out in Colorado, why does he refuse to tell her?

2. What is the surprising question Francisco poses to Dagny at the wedding reception?

3. How does Rand indicate that Wesley Mouch, Rearden's Washington lobbyist, may not be working in Rearden's interest?

4. Why is James Taggart marrying Cherryl Brooks, the dime store clerk?

5. What caused Francisco's ancestor out of Spain to Argentina where he became wealthy as a copper miner?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the scene of the broken furnace give Hank insight into Francisco's real character?

2. Briefly explain Dr. Stadler's surprise that the motor Dagny found was being developed in a remote automobile factory.

3. Rand introduces "Wyatt's Torch" as Dagny returns on the train to Wyatt Junction. What does the term suggest?

4. Explain the symbolism of the Twentieth Century Motor Company as Dagny and Hank find it.

5. In the chapter Rand calls "Account Overdrawn," how does the author picture the results of the socialist government's regulations?

6. Dagny sees Hank Rearden as a "man who belongs on earth." Explain why.

7. When an agreement is reached that closes the John Galt Line and the Rio Norte Line, what does Francisco mean when he asks Dagny if they had murdered John Galt?

8. Describe the meaning and the purpose of "white blackmail."

9. Using the example of the Anti-Dog-Eat-Dog rule, explain in a few paragraphs how eliminating competition by legislation destroys productivity.

10. Explain how the mystery of Eddie Willers' unnamed friend in the cafeteria and the shadowy man Dagny sees outside her office add to the suspense of the novel.

(see the answer keys)

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