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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What news does James Taggart receive that Dagny had predicted?
(a) The Mexican Government has nationalized the San Sebastian Mine and the Taggart railroad line
(b) The US government is nationalizing all industry.
(c) The Mexican line is out of coal and must burn wood to run the trains.
(d) Rearden refusus to supply metal for any railroad rails.

2. What is the purpose of the party Lillian plans to give in three months?
(a) A celebration of Rearden metal.
(b) Their wedding anniversary.
(c) Their social obligation to Dagny Taggart.
(d) A fund raiser for underprivileged children.

3. When Dr. Stadler questions why the man who was developing the revolutionary motor was working in a factory research lab, what is Dagny's reply?
(a) He probably liked living on this earth.
(b) He probably came from somewhere around here.
(c) Maybe the Science Institute turned him down.
(d) Maybe he couldn't find another place.

4. 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 deteriorization of New York City.
(c) The engine of a Taggart train.
(d) The old oak tree that was struck by lightning.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Where does Dagny plan to start the first run of the John Galt Line?

2. Because of the Equity of Distribution Law, there is now a Deputy Director of Distribution handling all of Rearden Metal's orders. What is his nickname?

3. Dr. Potter of the State Science Institute threatens Rearden who pretends not to understand his threats. Why?

4. When Hank Rearden learns that the legislature has passed the Equalization of Opportunity Bill, what does he learn from Mouch, his lobbyist in Washington?

5. When a reporter asks Dagny, "Who is John Galt?" what is her answer?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain the conflict within Francisco when he discovers that Rearden had ordered copper from his mines in Argentina.

2. When an agreement is reached that closes the John Galt Line and the Rio Norte Line, what does Francisco mean when he asks Dagny if they had murdered John Galt?

3. Describe how the chain is viewed by Henry Rearden, Lillian Rearden, and Dagny Taggart. Explain its significance to the story.

4. Francisco engineers a huge financial fraud on the Mexican government and greedy shareholders like James Taggart and Orren Boyle. Then he asks Dagny, "Who is John Galt?" How does Rand use his character to build suspense?

5. At first, Hank Rearden dislikes Francisco d'Anconia. Explain his reasons.

6. In the chapter Rand calls "Account Overdrawn," how does the author picture the results of the socialist government's regulations?

7. What is the significance of "the best hamburger" Dagny has ever tasted when she goes to the diner in Wyoming?

8. When Cherryl confronts Dagny and says that she is now Mrs. Taggart, the woman of the family, Dagny replies, "That's quite all right. I'm the man." Explain what she means by that comment.

9. As James Taggart and Dagny discuss plans for Taggart Transcontinental, James' attitude sets the stage for the real conflict in ATLAS SHRUGGED. Explain.

10. The title of the chapter, "The Exploiters and the Exploited" might suggest that the industrialists like Hank Rearden exploit the public by creating products for their own personal gratification. Rand, however, turns that around to suggest that the socialist government are exploiting the industrialists. Support that idea.

(see the answer keys)

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