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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. How long had the system between Ann and Loomis worked out alright?

2. What does Ann again realize she would not like as a career?

3. What does Ann do for Mr. Loomis?

4. Why does Ann decide to kill one of the older hens?

5. What does Loomis reply when Ann asks about the tractor situation?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Ann finally piece together about Edward and Loomis?

2. What routine do Ann and Mr. Loomis follow for the next ten days?

3. What does Ann ask Mr. Loomis to use and what is his response?

4. What do Loomis and Ann discuss concerning the fertilizer?

5. Why does Mr. Loomis frighten Ann as she is playing the piano?

6. Why does Mr. Loomis use the tractor to go to the store?

7. Where does Ann go in Chapter 12 and what does she find and do?

8. What does Ann discover about the tractor, and what does she do?

9. What do Ann and Mr. Loomis argue about concerning the crops?

10. What puzzles Ann when she is reading poetry to Mr. Loomis?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

This novel was written in the Seventies, a short time after the Bay of Pigs scare that left many Americans afraid of a nuclear attack. This novel takes place some years after a week long war that left most of the country devastated not only by nuclear fallout, but also nerve gases and other biological weapons. Discuss the following:

1. Research and write an informative essay about the fear of nuclear war during the 1960s. Why were people so afraid of the possibility of a nuclear war? What did countries do to prevent such a happening? Was there any civil preparedness for such an event? Is it realistic to prepare for something such as a nuclear war?

2. Do you think Ann's family was wise to have gone off from the safety of their valley so soon after the end of what they were fairly sure was a nuclear war?

3. Was it irresponsible of Ann's parents to leave her and her brother (who was supposed to stay) at the ages of 15 and 16 alone while they went out gathering information?

4. How likely is it that the scenario of the valley escaping contamination would actually happen?

Essay Topic 2

When one reads any novel (or anything at all), one brings everything from one's own past and present to the novel and in how one responds to what s/he is reading. Discuss the following:

1. How influential do you think a reader's own emotions, education, ideas and experiences influence how the reader responds to a work of fiction?

2. What about your life do you think influences you in reading Z for Zachariah? How does it influence you?

3. Do you think there is only one interpretation for any book? Give a detailed discussion in your response.

4. Do you think fiction can precipitate change in a reader? Is the change usually temporary or long lasting? Discuss your response thoroughly.

Essay Topic 3

In chapter 11, Ann pieces together the story of Mr. Loomis and Edward and realizes that Mr. Loomis likely murdered Edward. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think you would have done when caring for Loomis and learning he had likely murdered someone?

2. Does Ann seem to take the situation seriously? Does her response seem to reflect a greater maturity than the typical 15 year old or about the same as the average 15 year old?

3. Would you have confronted Mr. Loomis as soon as he was able to interact? Would you have confronted him at all? Ann waits until she is leaving the valley--do you think that is the best course of action?

(see the answer keys)

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