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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 Taddeo suspect surviving mankind might be?

2. Who steals one of the officers' drawings?

3. What does the APLAC do to Zerchi's data?

4. Why doesn't Mrs. Grayles go to Father Selo for confession?

5. What does Hannegan do when the Vatican warns Hannegan's enemy about the coming war?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the idea that mankind is a servant race created by a society of betters appeal to Taddeo?

2. Why doesn't Taddeo want to alienate Hannegan?

3. Why do the Poet's jokes cause so much upset at the dinner?

4. Why does Paulo feel like a shoemaker in a village of shoemakers?

5. What is Armbruster's attitude toward books and toward Taddeo's studies?

6. What is the likely reason Taddeo does not arrive on time at the monastery?

7. Describe the legend of Leibowitz's death.

8. Describe Zerchi's dream about Rachel.

9. Why can't Cors keep his promise to Zerchi?

10. Why is Paulo opposed to euthanasia?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the structure of the novel. Describe the relationship of all three sections and how they represent different stages in the development of human culture. Why did the writer choose this unconventional structure, which covers three time periods and three different sets of characters? Why is there no continuous main character in the novel (except perhaps the Old Jew), and how does that affect your experience of the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Compare the three abbots who control the Albertine Order of Leibowitz. What are their goals and fears? How do they see their duty toward the Memorabilia, the Order, and the Church? In what different ways do they carry out those duties?

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the novel, various characters take on tasks they find worthwhile, devoting their time and energy to them. Francis spends his life making an illuminated version of the Leibowitz blueprint. Taddeo spends his life trying to understand physics and recreate the science of the past. Hannegan spends his life trying to conquer neighboring areas and expand his rule. Kornhoer attempts to recreate the technology of electric light. Zerchi fights to stop euthanasia of terminal radiation poisoning patients, while Dr. Cors tries to help patients by either treating them or recommending euthanasia. These are just a few examples; feel free to choose your own examples from the novel.

Choose two characters and their respective tasks to compare and contrast. What do the characters hope to gain from their work? What do others think of their work? What do they accomplish, and how does it live on in the future?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 890 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample