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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. While driving back home after his cross-country trip, what animals does Ish notice have disappeared?

2. During the Quick Years, one of Ish and Em's earliest children dies. What do the adults think is the cause?

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

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?

5. Who rescued Evie when she was living alone?

Short Essay Questions

1. What realization makes Ish feel humble beside Em? What does he finally understand?

2. After the over-population of a certain animal, Ish notices that the larger ones of the species start killing one another off. He decides that the animals are not doing this out of hunger. What does he believe is the real reason?

3. How is it significant that Ish has not passed on the tradition of carving the year into the rock? What effect may this have later?

4. What is the author trying to illustrate when he shows how the young men treat Ish if he doesn't answer questions?

5. What is one good reason why the Tribe should merge with the other tribe?

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

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

8. What trick do the children play every year at New Years?

9. Why are Richard and Robert chosen for the expedition instead of the other men?

10. Is Ish a good leader for the Tribe? Why or why not?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Based on class discussions and your own research, what factors in society might have influenced George R. Stewart to write Earth Abides? What are some basic points that the author is trying to get across? What could have prompted the author to feel the need to address a particular issue, and what are his conclusions on the issue?

Essay Topic 2

Several times throughout the text, the author makes a point to show Ish finding places that were once inhabited by Indian tribes and other indigenous people. When Ish and Em start to mark out the time, they do it in the same place, and almost in the same fashion, as ancient peoples. How is this significant?

Essay Topic 3

At one point, Ish realizes that the children have come to view him as a sort of deity, and that they attach a superstitious meaning to his hammer. Was Ish truly interested in preventing his deification? What effects will his teaching on these subjects, or lack of teaching, have on future generations and the development of civilization?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 848 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample