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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 Finch tell Dunworthy about the closet tech to Oxford?

2. Why does she try to do so with the wagon?

3. Who does Dunworthy visit?

4. Whose mother arrives?

5. To what year will Kivrin be traveling?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe James Dunworthy.

2. What does Badri believe and how does Dunworthy calm Badri's fears?

3. What explanation for who she is does Kivrin plan to give and what does she end up saying?

4. Describe Badri.

5. What does Kivrin's interpreter do and does she expect to need it?

6. What is the policy about sending historians to the medieval period and how is the department getting around the policy?

7. Where does Dunworthy go after he's medically cleared, and what does he learn?

8. With whom does Kivrin speak and what is he doing?

9. What does a medic question Dunworthy about concerning the virus and what is his response?

10. What are Dunworthy and the others told when they are released from the hospital?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In chapter twenty, three men arrive at the manor where Kivrin is staying. In the excerpt from the Doomesday Book, Kivrin notes they are an envoy from the bishop, that they drink readily, and that one had grabbed at Maisry, slipping his hand down the bodice of her gown. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the priest in the Bishop's envoy to Fr. Roche. Who seems genuinely spiritual, compassionate, or living his beliefs?

2. Much has been written about the corruption of the Catholic church over the centuries. Can any large institution, including a religious institution remain totally without corruption? Why or why not?

3. What surprises Kivrin about Fr. Roche? Do her impressions continue throughout the time she is in the past? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

In chapter 8, Dunworthy tries explaining to Gilchrist the "rules" of the net. Discuss the following:

1. Why is it impossible for the virus in the epidemic at Oxford in 2054 to have come through the net? Does the explanation seem to follow natural laws as we understand them in 2010?

2. Why can't Dunworthy just go back before the drop time and then retrieve Kivrin as she comes through?

3. Explain how slippage determines how far off one is when traveling back in time. Does the four-hour slippage that was a part of Kivrin's drop account for the twenty year difference between when she wanted to be dropped and when she actually is dropped? Why or why not.

4. Does the technology of the net and time travel seem stable enough that you would travel on it? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of Doomsday Book, 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?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements. Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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