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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. How is Agnes faring?

2. What does Badri tell Dundworthy about Kivrin's drop?

3. What does Gilchrist say to Dunworthy?

4. Why is Latimer unresponsive?

5. What has happened to Beverly Breen?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Who is the next victim to fall ill and how does Kirvin discover it?

3. What about the virus situation in modern times concerns Dunworthy?

4. What happens as Kivrin prepares to travel to Scotland with Fr. Roche and Rosemund?

5. What note does the young boy bring from the bishop and why does Kirvin already know its contents?

6. Describe the discussion between Badri and Dunworthy about Kirvin's time travel.

7. What does Kivrin write about the church bells and cemetery?

8. What is the situation with the steward and digging graves?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss Doomsday Book based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if Doomsday Book is a successful novel. Explain your rationale with specific examples.

3. Do you think the fact that Doomsday Book falls within the science fiction genre changes the criteria upon which its success should be judged? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

There are some interesting parallels between the action in 2054 and that going on with Kivrin in 1348. Two most obvious that come to mind are they are both suffering an epidemic and bell ringers figure prominently in both times. Discuss the following:

1. Trace, compare and analyze throughout Doomsday Book the similarities between what is happening in 2054 and 1348.

2. Why do you think Willis sets up this mirror-like plot?

3. Do you think it is an effective literary strategy? Why or why not?

4. What similar themes are evident in each time frame?

(see the answer keys)

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