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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. In Year Nine, (The Year of the Deaths) what causes almost everyone to
 become ill?

2. What event occurs during the Year of Woodcarving that has a very
 negative effect on Ish?

3. While cruising through town, what does Ish see on the flashing neon sign that he equates to the progress and downfall of civilization?

4. While driving through the Mojave desert, why does Ish stop his car in the middle?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

2. How does the Tribe see Ish?

3. What is notable about how Ish acts on his trip home?

4. When visiting the library, what does Joey ask Ish about restoring? What does he see that causes him to ask the question?

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

6. 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?

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

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

9. Are the other Tribe members as dedicated to education as Ish is? Why or why not?

10. How do the older people treat Charlie?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At one point, Ish wonders if they should have let Evie live, or if they should have killed her out of mercy, but he decides that none of the people in the tribe are qualified to make that decision. Why do you think Ish would have felt this way toward Evie, and not toward anyone else? Do you think that Ish really has Evie's best interest at heart? Why or why not?

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

At the end of the book, Ish notices that, even though the rest of the city has burned, the university library is still intact. What is the significance of the library's survival?

(see the answer keys)

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