View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. How does Rand show James Taggart's opportunism after the success of the John Galt Line?

3. What is the surprising question Francisco poses to Dagny at the wedding reception?

4. Why does Dagny have to wait to get in to see Dannager when she goes to see him before his trial?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. 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"?

2. Explain the significance of the mysterious Halley's Fifth Concerto in developing the novel.

3. Discuss the significance of the turnout of Taggart employees and the armed guards every mile along the initial John Galt Line train.

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

5. 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?

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

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

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. How does the scene of the broken furnace give Hank insight into Francisco's real character?

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a short paper about what Francisco left behind in Mexico. Why did he pay top dollar for inferior materials?

Essay Topic 2

In a short essay explain how Francisco goes about portraying himself as a worthless playboy. Use specific examples.

Essay Topic 3

Write a paper contrasting Eddie's and Dagny's feelings about Francisco. Eddie says, "He makes me feel safe." Dagny says, "He makes me expect excitement and danger."

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,149 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample