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

2. What is Dagny's amazing discovery at Twentieth Century Motors?

3. What is Ayn Rand's objection to majority rule as put forth by the National Alliance of Railroads?

4. What does Rearden say the government needed to win against him.

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. 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.

3. The "Immovable Movers" in Rand's novel are the industrialists like Dagny and Rearden who produce because it is in their blood to do so. They produce for the joy of accomplishment and thus provide for the society as a whole. Rand compares them to the mythical Greek god Atlas who purportedly holds up the world on his shoulders. Explain her conclusions.

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

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

6. 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?

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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

Essay Topic 2

In a few pages, define the manufacture of Rearden Metal and why Taggart, Boye, and Mouch were so afraid of it.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay about the names of characters and businesses Ayn Rand uses in ATLAS SHRUGGED.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,173 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample