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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 Badri say about the problem on the way to the lab?

2. What does Kivrin endure in order to have a cover story?

3. What is the mother like?

4. What does Kivrin immediately know when she wakes?

5. What does Kivrin not care if her fingernails are chipped and hands dirty?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Where and how is Kivrin when she wakes?

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

4. Describe some of the preparations Kivrin makes for the trip back in time.

5. Why is Dunworthy out trying to find an open store?

6. What does Kivrin think in the confusion generated by her high fever?

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

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

9. Who does Dunworthy try to communicate with again and what does he realize through talking with the man?

10. What is Ms. Montoya doing as Kivrin is preparing for her trip, and how is this related to Kivrin?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In order to set up the plot, the writer has to introduce two implausible events. Discuss the following:

1. Research and define the term "narrative contrivance" and give several examples of it from other books and movies you have read.

2. Analyze the two events that seem a bit too coincidental or farfetched that sets the rest of the story in motion. Consider that Montoya has unearthed some sort of virus from the excavation that is still viable and the fact that Badri is the first one to exhibit symptoms of the virus and that he does not communicate immediately while walking with Dunworthy back to the lab that Kivrin is in 1348. Is there any way theses "contrivances" could be left out and the plot move forward in much the same way that it does? What other ways are there to have gotten the same results?

3. Is much fiction in some ways a contrivance? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Whenever reading a science fiction or fantasy novel, one must become familiar with new terminology that explains concepts or technology that is not a part of the "real" world. In the case of Doomsday Book, much of the setting is familiar to the reader, though there are new ideas and terms to learn. Discuss the following:

1. Find five terms that are a part of the 2054 world of Dunworthy and Kivrin that are either not a part of the language of 2010 or mean something different. Define the words as used in 2054 and compare those five words as to how they are currently used in the American English language.

2. How does the language of 1348 differ from that of 2010? Are there words you did not know from that time? What? How do you learn their meanings?

3. There are ways of learning about a new world or time when reading a science fiction or fantasy novel. Discuss the ways you were able to understand the time of both 2054 and 1348. Did you have to look up any words? What does it mean to learn a word through its context? Do you have to do that in Doomsday Book? What word(s)?

4. Were there any words you never really understand from Doomsday Book? What are they?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of manipulation and power in Doomsday Book. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with manipulation and power? Why? What are some symbols of manipulation and power? Symbols of powerlessness? What characters seem powerless?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of hypocrisy in Doomsday Book. Which characters seem hypocritical? Why? Which characters seem sincere? Why? Which ones seem not to care about looking good to others? What is the difference between how the two types live?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of death. Compare/contrast how the people of 1348 view death to the views of those in 2054. Which is most like your own view of death? Who seems afraid of dying? Not afraid? Who meets death gracefully? In resignation? With joy? With fear?

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