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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 Mad Bear drink?

2. What does the mythological Blackeneth do?

3. What does Rachel give to Zerchi?

4. What does Rachel refuse from Zerchi?

5. What do the Asians claim the nuclear detonation is?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Gault afraid is Hannegan's intention for the abbey?

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

3. What is the literary style of the story of the Flame Deluge read to Taddeo at the beginning of Chapter 18?

4. Who is eligible for euthanasia?

5. How does Mad Bear view Taddeo's party?

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

7. Why does Taddeo think Kornhoer would be valuable to him?

8. What is the implication of Rachel refusing baptism?

9. What is the purpose of Quo peregrinaqtur grex?

10. Describe the legend of Leibowitz's death.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss culture in the novel.

Part 1) How do cultures and cultural values change over time? Discuss the prevailing culture before the Flame Deluge and during each of the three parts of the novel.

Part 2) How do cultures clash in the novel? How do cultural clashes lead to war? How do cultural clashes determine cultural values and future development?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss faith versus science in the context of the novel. Which characters value faith, and which characters value science? Include Francis, Leibowitz, Taddeo, Dr. Cors, and Zerchi in your discussion, as well as any other characters you feel are significant to the idea of faith versus science. Are the two always incompatible? How do the fates of the characters and of the society relate to faith and to science?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the Old Jew.

Part 1) What is the Old Jew's true identity? Can you make a case for more than one possible identity? What evidence is there for his identity?

Part 2) What role does he play in the story? Why is he in all three parts of the novel?

(see the answer keys)

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