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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When Ish drives to a certain building after finding out Em is pregnant, 
how does he manage to get inside?
(a) He finds an open window.
(b) He chops the door off its hinges.
(c) He breaks in through a window.
(d) He finds a door that was left ajar.

2. At the end of Chapter Two, Ish makes a list of the reasons he will survive better than many of the people he meets. Why does Ish believe he is better prepared to survive?
(a) He was a boy scout.
(b) He is physically stronger than most people.
(c) He went through survival training in Wyoming.
(d) He has always preferred to do things alone.

3. While Ish is alone in his house and pondering civilization, what does he decide he will never be?
(a) A survivor.
(b) A god.
(c) A murderer.
(d) A leader.

4. At one point, Ish considers suicide, but there is one particular reason he decides not to kill himself. What gives Ish the will to live?
(a) Curiosity about his parents.
(b) The books he reads.
(c) The fear of death.
(d) Being an observer.

5. Why does Ish worry about being with Em at first?
(a) She seems to have mental problems.
(b) She is older than he is.
(c) She doesn't seem to like him, she just wants a companion.
(d) She might have a hidden sickness.

6. What natural disaster occurs in Year Twenty?
(a) An earthquake.
(b) A landslide.
(c) A fire.
(d) A flood.

7. During Ish's trip to the east, he meets a small family in Arkansas. What are they doing?
(a) Trying to start a car.
(b) Traveling toward the coast.
(c) Building a house.
(d) Raising animals and crops.

8. Why does Ish think the books in the library are important?
(a) They may need to burn them for fuel during winter.
(b) He wants to learn from the mistakes of history.
(c) People will use them to rebuild civilization.
(d) Reading and arithmetic will help the children survive the elements.

9. Who does Ish meet when he is loading up his station wagon for his cross-country trip?
(a) A woman who asks to accompany him.
(b) A crazy man.
(c) A dog.
(d) An angry crowd.

10. Where does Ish drive when he finds out Em is pregnant?
(a) To the hospital.
(b) To the library.
(c) Back to Em's old house.
(d) To an old pharmacy.

11. What does Em decide to call the First Year?
(a) Year of the ox.
(b) Year of plenty.
(c) Year of the drought.
(d) Year of the baby.

12. What does Ish become obsessed with doing while the city is being overrun by a certain kind of animal?
(a) Building defenses against the animals.
(b) Calculating how many of this type of animal are in the city.
(c) Domesticating the animals.
(d) Killing as many of the animals as possible.

13. When Ish stays with the couple that he meets in the eastern city, he finds they will not leave. Why does Ish think they won't leave?
(a) They're trying to restart the government.
(b) They can find everything they need within walking distance.
(c) They are afraid of the outside world.
(d) Their family is buried nearby.

14. On his way back to the city, Ish breaks into a fine home. What does he do while he is there?
(a) Listens to a voice on the radio.
(b) Makes himself breakfast.
(c) Empties the jewelry cabinet.
(d) Stays for several nights.

15. In Year Five, the people create a "national pastime" out of avoiding 
what type of animal?
(a) Dogs.
(b) Lions.
(c) Bulls.
(d) Hyenas.

Short Answer Questions

1. In the beginning, how does Ish go about finding other people?

2. After Ish finds out Em is pregnant, what does he use to determine the end of the year?

3. After Ish and Em come together, something happens that makes Ish panic, but Em turns it into a game. What happens?

4. Why is Ish worried about the couple he stays with in the eastern city?

5. What instrument does Ish play in the "Year We Sang"?

(see the answer keys)

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