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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. Why doesn't Batman kill the Mutant leader when he has a clear shot of him?

2. While walking around Gotham City, where does Bruce Wayne end up?

3. During Batman's battle with the Mutants, who comes out of hiding to save Batman?

4. After forcing the bank robbers to crash in their car, who does Batman tell, "These men are mine!"?

5. What does Batman tell Harvey Dent he sees when he looks at him?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Batman's age affect his body during the initial nights of his return?

2. Why does Harvey Dent cover his new face with bandages?

3. What is the significance of Bruce Wayne's sleepwalking flashback to the bat cave?

4. How is the media's report on Batman's return representative of the theme of duality in the novel?

5. When Commissioner Gordon is attacked by a member of the Mutants gang, why does thinking of his wife Sarah make it easy for him to fight back?

6. What does Bruce Wayne means when he tells the news reporter, "We must believe that our private demons can be defeated..."?

7. Why does Batman automatically accept Carrie as Robin as opposed to finding and selecting his own candidate for the position?

8. When Batman confronts Harvey Dent, what does he mean when he thinks "...the scars go deep--too deep"?

9. How is Carrie Kelley a perfect Robin for Bruce Wayne's elderly Batman?

10. When Gordon relights the bat signal, what effects does this have on Gotham City?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Both Batman and Superman are considered heroes in "The Dark Knight Returns." Batman, however, could be considered an anti-hero. Do you think he is an anti-hero? Find descriptions from the text to support your answer and provide evidence for your opinion.

Essay Topic 2

Batman and Superman are allies and have known each other for years. Compare/contrast how each one reacts to violence, authority, and the nuclear threat posed to the United States from the Soviets. Find descriptions from the text to support your answer and provide evidence for your comparisons.

Essay Topic 3

Explain how the usage of art/drawings helps provide authenticity about the violence in Gotham to the graphic novel. Does it help the reader support Batman's crusade against crime? What does it reveal about the character, his background, and environment in Gotham? Find descriptions from the text to support your answer and provide evidence for your opinion.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 915 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample