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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. 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) Their family is buried nearby.
(c) They can find everything they need within walking distance.
(d) They are afraid of the outside world.

2. While cruising through town, what does Ish see on the flashing neon sign that he equates to the progress and downfall of civilization?
(a) A line of stars.
(b) The temperature.
(c) A galloping horse.
(d) A flashing hand of cards.

3. What do the older members of the community notice that 
they think "pushes back the darkness" a little?
(a) The progress in building the village.
(b) The number of years everyone has survived.
(c) The sudden arrival of visitors.
(d) The birth of children.

4. What does Ish find when he arrives home after his trip to the east coast?
(a) Someone has been in his home.
(b) His parents left him a note.
(c) His door is broken.
(d) His note is untouched.

5. When pondering about mankind, Ish comes up with a definition for them. What definition does he use?
(a) The ravenous animal.
(b) The world-killing animal.
(c) The diseased animal.
(d) The noise-producing animal.

Short Answer Questions

1. At the beginning of the book, why doesn't Ish know about the virus?

2. While scavenging for food in his hometown, what item of food does Ish find to be inedible because of mice and weevils?

3. What natural disaster occurs in Year Twenty?

4. When Ish arrives in a certain city in the east, ending his trip to that side of the country, what impresses him the most about the city?

5. How does Ish first find out about the virus?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Em start crying when she tells Ish about her pregnancy?

2. What was different about the bodies that Ish saw in the dry, Arizona town?

3. How is it significant that many of the people do not sleep in the same location that Ish does?

4. Has Ish lived a happier life in spite of, or because of, the disaster?

5. What was the significance of Ish taking the hammer with him to meet Charlie instead of another weapon?

6. What day of the year do Ish and Em choose to be their New Year's Day? Why?

7. Has Ish changed over the years? Why?

8. Who gave Isherwood his name, and why?

9. What did Ezra do to test Charlie about his vest?

10. Who is the "leader" of the group? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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