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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who is the childhood friend of Jim and Dagny who now works for them?
(a) Eddie Willers
(b) James Ellis Wyatt
(c) Hank Rearden
(d) John Galt

2. A theme that runs throughout ATLAS SHRUGGED is one which shows strength and character outside but emptiness and moral corruption inside. What metaphor does Ayn Rand use to illustrate this idea?
(a) The flaws in Rearden steel.
(b) The engine of a Taggart train.
(c) The deteriorization of New York City.
(d) The old oak tree that was struck by lightning.

3. What is the lie that James Taggart tells the Board of Taggert Railroad?
(a) That he would pay for all the company losses out of his own pocket.
(b) That the whole thing was Dagny's fault since she wanted the Mexican line.
(c) That he foresaw this action, cut the schedule and removed the good equipment from that line.
(d) That Francisco d'Anconia had sold his copper mines to Mexico.

4. What does Rand mean by the title, "White Blackmail"?
(a) Little white lies to get around the laws.
(b) A way of manipulating people by passing aws and regulations that the influence peddlers want broken.
(c) A way of getting people to obey the laws and cooperate with the government.
(d) Not really blackmail at all.

5. What show of support does Dagny get from employees of Taggart Transcontinental?
(a) They vote her in as President of Taggart Transcontinental.
(b) They line the route with guns to protect the train.
(c) They give a banquet in her honor.
(d) They all buy stock in the John Galt Line.

6. What is the problem Rearden sees in any government that professes to run by committee for the "public good."
(a) There is no morality of right and wrong involved.
(b) It favors industrialists who create jobs for the public.
(c) The committees are selected by popular vote.
(d) The moral purity of a committee cannot know what the public good is.

7. What is Dagny's reaction to Eugene Lawson's claim that his motives were pure at Twentieth Century Motors because he never made a profit?
(a) She agrees that the motives were pure.
(b) She praises him for his generosity.
(c) She says the idea is despicable.
(d) She accuses him of lying.

8. At the Thanksgiving dinner, why does Lillian urge Hank not to fight the lawsuit?
(a) She says they will assassinate him.
(b) She says he will win if he does not present a case.
(c) She says he will damage her socially.
(d) She says he cannot win.

9. What is the real outcome after the court fines Rearden $5,000 and gives him a suspended sentence?
(a) Rearden will have to comply with the government rules.
(b) Other industrialists will go out of business.
(c) Lillian's social connections are destroyed.
(d) In effect, he has won against the government.

10. What does Phillip want to leave Henry's house?
(a) A new car.
(b) Paid up tuition to Harvard.
(c) Controlling interest in Rearden Metal stock.
(d) Money to start a business.

11. What does Dagny object to about the San Sebastian Line?
(a) That it is going to help the communist government.
(b) That is was not her idea.
(c) That the Mexican government will subsidise it.
(d) That it is using Rearden steel rails.

12. What caused Francisco's ancestor out of Spain to Argentina where he became wealthy as a copper miner?
(a) The Spanish Inquisition.
(b) The French Revolution.
(c) The Spanish Revolution.
(d) The Potato Famine.

13. Atlas is the Greek god who holds the world on his shoulders. In the novel, who is "Atlas"?
(a) The National Alliance of Railroads
(b) Billionaires like Francisco d'Anconia.
(c) The common people.
(d) Industrialists like Dagny and Rearden

14. What is Dagny's amazing discovery at Twentieth Century Motors?
(a) The address of the chief engineer.
(b) Books on building aircraft.
(c) The formula for Rearden metal.
(d) Plans for a revolutionary motor.

15. How old was Francisco when he took over d'Anconia Copper Mines?
(a) Twenty-three
(b) Sixteen
(c) Thirty-one
(d) Twenty-seven

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Mouch's new job after he resigns as Rearden's Washington lobbyist?

2. What does Francisco d'Anconia say the socialists will use to replace "the aristocracy of money"?

3. What sarcastic comment does Dagny make to James Taggart and Wesley Mouch?

4. How does Bertram Scudder, editor of "The Future" magazine, characterize Hank Rearden?

5. Who is planning to build diesel engines for Taggart Transcontinental?

(see the answer keys)

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