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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. Why does Dagny take a leave of absence from her job as Vice President of Operations at Taggart Transcontinental?

2. What prevents Taggart Transcontinental from meeting Rearden's deadline for delivering steel?

3. What is the lie that James Taggart tells the Board of Taggert Railroad?

4. What game does Francisco play with the Mexican government and the American stockholders in the San Sebastian Mines?

5. Why can Dagny not learn the name of the third student at Patrick Henry University according to Dr. Akston?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the meaning and the purpose of "white blackmail."

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

3. Rand introduces "Wyatt's Torch" as Dagny returns on the train to Wyatt Junction. What does the term suggest?

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

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

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

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. 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.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay explaining your personal feelings about the socialist government in ATLAS SHRUGGED.

Essay Topic 3

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

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,210 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample