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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 through the Mojave desert, why does Ish stop his car in the middle?

2. What does Em think of Princess?

3. What does Ish find when he arrives home after his trip to the east coast?

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

5. 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?

Short Essay Questions

1. What law does Ish believe needs to be in effect the next time any new people arrive in their area? Why?

2. 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?

3. Who gave Isherwood his name, and why?

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

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

6. Does Ish put too much emphasis on above-average intelligence instead of other qualities?

7. Where did the Tribe bury Charlie?

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

9. Why does Ish start walking with a limp?

10. Why is Ish so concerned about finding people who can "fix" civilization?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the first six chapters of the book, Ish notices that there are certain animals that cannot live without man, while there are others who seem to adapt after awhile. The author makes several comments about these animals throughout the remainder of the book. Do you think that the author is really, in a sense, talking about mankind? If so, what is he saying? If not, what point do you think the author is trying to emphasize?

Essay Topic 2

From Chapter Three until the first "Quick Years," Ish has a faithful companion in his dog, Princess. What is significant about Princess' arrival and departure? What does she represent to Ish? Do you think Princess is symbolic?

Essay Topic 3

When visiting the city where he meets Milt and Ann, Ish reflects that Americans think it is the center of the world. He thinks about what happened to everyone there, and to the world at large, and he thinks of the phrase, "Falls Rome, falls the world." Why do you think Ish is making a comparison between Rome and the city? What does this comparison mean?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 797 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample