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

2. Why does Dannager refuse to say "Good-bye" to Dagny?

3. What does "the chain" represent to Henry Rearden?

4. Quentin Daniels is hired to reconstruct the revolutionary motor. What is Quentin's greatest desire.

5. At home and in despair, what music is Dagny listening to when she puts down her head and cries?

Short Essay Questions

1. Lillian demands the Rearden Metal bracelet back and threatens to tell everyone that Dagny is sleeping with her husband. What is the irony of that situation?

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

3. Write a few paragraphs on why Hank Rearden does not mind supporting his idle family but refuses to give Phillip a job he is not qualified to handle.

4. Explain the symbolism of Lillian's taking Dagny's diamond bracelet in exchange for the Rearden Metal chain.

5. Dagny sees Hank Rearden as a "man who belongs on earth." Explain why.

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. Why is the idea of "motive" so important in the novel? Explain in detail.

8. Francisco d'Anconia, heir of the d'Anconia Copper Mining empire, has developed a reputation as a playboy and a dilettante. Itemize the events in his early years with Dagny and James Taggart that are contradictory to that image.

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

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a paper about John Galt's relationship to the other characters.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay on the character of Phillip Rearden. How is he unlike his brother Hank?

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay on Project X and compare it to WMDs today.

(see the answer keys)

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