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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 game does Francisco play with the Mexican government and the American stockholders in the San Sebastian Mines?
(a) He plays poker with the Mexican President in a winner-take-all game.
(b) He plays a game of marbles on the hotel room floor.
(c) He plays charades but no one can guess his subject.
(d) He knows the mines are worthless and wants to watch them go down with their own greed.

2. When Dagny demands to be made Vice President in Charge of Operations, what reason does Jim give her for opposing the idea?
(a) Dagny, father never intended for you to work at Taggert.
(b) Dagny, you don't know anything about railroads.
(c) Dagny, you'll get married and leave.
(d) Dagny, you're a woman.

3. At the anniversary party, what do Dr. Pritchett, Balph Eubank, and Mort Mort Liddy have in common?
(a) They are all against the Equalization of Opportunity Bill.
(b) They all know who John Galt is.
(c) They are all capitalists.
(d) The all support the Equalization of Opportunity Bill.

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Rand indicate that Wesley Mouch, Rearden's Washington lobbyist, may not be working in Rearden's interest?

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

3. What is so unusual about the cigarette Dagny gets from Dr. Hugh Akston?

4. How does the government plan to conserve copper and electricity?

5. Dr. Stadler talks about having known John Galt who he believes is dead. What is his recollection of Galt?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Explain how the mystery of Eddie Willers' unnamed friend in the cafeteria and the shadowy man Dagny sees outside her office add to the suspense of the novel.

4. Discuss the significance of the names Rand gives to the businesses in ATLAS SHRUGGED.

5. Briefly explain Dr. Stadler's surprise that the motor Dagny found was being developed in a remote automobile factory.

6. 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.

7. How does the Twentieth Century Motor Company demonstrate the results of the communistic idea of "from each according to his ability, to each according to his need"?

8. At his trial, Hank Rearden refuses to give the government the "sanction of the victim." Explain what he means.

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

10. Explain the symbolism of the Twentieth Century Motor Company as Dagny and Hank find it.

(see the answer keys)

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