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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 the man do at Burden Creek?

2. What had the team just completed before the war?

3. What does the man do after using the Geiger counter?

4. What was the most noticeable thing about the man after he walks back to his cart?

5. How long are Ann's parents and brother gone when they go out?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is the valley special?

2. How does Ann describe the newly-arrived stranger?

3. Why is Mr. Loomis at Burden Creek when Ann returns from picking greens, and how does he think the Creek can be used?

4. What does the man say possibly happened to Ann's family?

5. What does Ann decide to do as the stranger draws closer?

6. How does the man discover his terrible error about the Creek and what does he do?

7. How does Mr. Loomis seem later that evening, and what does Ann give him?

8. What does Loomis say about his activities the night the war breaks out?

9. What does Ann worry about when she discovers that Faro has returned?

10. How does Loomis manage to survive on his long journey walking from New York?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Ann and Loomis when they first meet. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? How do they compare as to the way they are raised before being chosen? Do you think they are both good people? Why or why not. Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Ann from the beginning of the book to the end. How has she stayed the same? How has she changed? Have the changes been positive? What do you think Ann needs to change about herself to survive her journey?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in Z for Zacharia help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Some secondary "characters" to consider are Faro, Radiation, The Valley, and The War.

Essay Topic 2

Ann rises early and collects greens to make a salad with. As she picks, Ann imagines what it would be like to marry Mr. Loomis. The idea makes Ann happy because she likes the idea of having children of her own. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think it is sane to be thinking about bringing children into a world such as the one in which Ann now lives? Why or why not?

2. In many apocalyptic novels, women are forced to bear children in order to continue the human race. Do you think it is right to force all women of childbearing age to have children regardless of their own personal desires in a situation such as Ann's?

3. Why do you think that most apocalyptic novels have as one of their premises that it is important that the human race survive? Do you agree with this premise? Explain your answer.

4. Assuming there are other areas of the world where humans are unharmed and the environment is radiation free, then does it seem less important that the few people of the United States that may have survived bear children? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels end on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not? Do you think Z for Zachariah ends on a happy note? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of Z for Zachariah and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why Z for Zachariah is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

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