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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 does Rubashov do first when they lock him in his cell?

2. What does No. 402 tell Rubashov after Rubashov reveals his name?

3. What does Rubashov ask No. 1 for while Rubashov is still on crutches?

4. What happens in the trade delegation library shortly before the second great trial of the opposition?

5. What color blouses did Arlova always wear?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Rubashov see the last night of the two weeks given to Rubashov by Ivanov? Who arranges it?

2. What does Gletkin consider to be the best methods for getting confessions out of prisoners? Why does he feel this way?

3. Why does Rubashov meet with Little Loewy?

4. How does Rubashov prepare for his first interrogation when he thinks they may use the steambath on him?

5. Why does Rubashov think he is unable to hate No. 1?

6. Whom does Rubashov watch the guards escort down the hallway after Rubashov’s flashback? What does the man look like?

7. What was Prisoner 406’s sentence in his country of origin? How much time does he serve? How does he get out of prison?

8. What does Ivanov tell Rubashov the day after Bogrov is killed?

9. What does Ivanov say is the reason Rubashov will not capitulate with Gletkin’s method?

10. Who is brought to cell 406? What does he keep tapping?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

Define plot and include the definitions of the most important elements of a plot. Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not? Write a brief synopsis of the plot of Darkness at Noon, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot? Give a brief synopsis of any important sub-plots.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

Analyze and discuss what you think are the characteristics of a successful novel and why Darkness at Noon is or is not a successful novel based on your criteria. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for adults versus young adults?

Essay Topic 3

Often, authors will write about what they know. Sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Arthur Koestler. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Koestler's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Koestler's probable agenda concerning that idea.

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