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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 bells are tolling?

2. What does the note say from the young boy?

3. Why does Kirvin want Gawyn to return as soon as possible?

4. What friend of Dunworthy's dies in the epidemic?

5. What does Dunworthy ask Montoya?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Kivrin slip up and what does she do to try to cover her mistake?

2. What does Kivrin write in her Doomsday Book about various victims?

3. Why does Father Roche return to where the clerk lies and what does Kirvin ask of him?

4. What does Kivrin note about the Bishop's envoy?

5. What do Mary and Dunworthy realize when Montoya is brought into the hospital and how does Dunworthy react?

6. What does Dunworthy realize when talking to Badri?

7. What does Dunworthy learn about various flu victims after he regains consciousness?

8. Describe Mary Ahrens.

9. How does Dunworthy get into the lab and what does he discover when he goes inside?

10. Describe the scene where Kivrin goes to mass with the family and her talk with Gawyn on the way home.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Dunworthy's mind is constantly on Kivrin, and he continues to reassure himself that she's capable of handling whatever situation arises. He recalls his own test trip through the net to a period just thirty years in the past from that time. There'd been a young man there who pulled offered directions to reach the destination, which he'd got to with time to spare. Dunworthy tells himself that there are young men with a map and a piece of advice in every time period. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think based upon Dunworthy's own first time travel experience which is only 30 years in the past, that Dunworthy is logical in thinking that there will be someone in 1348 to help Kivrin get to where she needs to be?

2. If one assumes that Gawyn is Kivrin's "young man," analyze how helpful he in helping Kivrin find her pick up site. Cite specific examples.

3. Is Dunworthy correct in his reasoning about Kivrin? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Setting as far as place and time play critical role in Doomsday Book. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast several aspects of the 2 times where the action takes place--2054 and 1348. Consider things such as cultural norms/expectations, technology, religion and medicine.

2. How do you think Doomsday Book would change if Kivrin actually went to 1320? You need to research England at the time and see if there are any major differences. Consider if the plague were not an issue. What if she accidentally ended up in a racially different area such as the Orient or Africa?

3. What issues that are present in the 2054 time of Doomsday Book present today? What are no longer issues by 2054? Consider such things cultural norms/expectations, technology, religion, and medicine.

Essay Topic 3

Many readers of a book such as Doomsday Book place themselves in the position of someone like Kivrin, wondering about what their response would be in a similar situation. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as the Doomsday Book help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading Doomsday Book? Why or why not?

3. Choose one specific incident to discuss and compare Kivrin's response to how you think you would respond.

(see the answer keys)

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