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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. What are Roark's criteria for designing a new building?
(a) Social mobility, fame, and wealth
(b) Materials, site, and purpose
(c) Beauty, size, and familiarity
(d) Bricks, location, and cost

2. What does Dominique think her private relationship with Roark gives her when they meet in public?
(a) Power to control him
(b) Fear that he will say something
(c) A big laugh
(d) A serious heatbreak

3. What spoils Peter's joy at winning the "most beautiful building" contest?
(a) Roark demands money from Peter for the work he did.
(b) He does not really like the design.
(c) He knows that it was Roark's work that helped him win.
(d) People think the contest was rigged.

4. Why does the Dean consider Roark to be insubordinate?
(a) He thinks Roark's buildings are unsafe.
(b) Roark refuses to accept only the classical styles that the school teaches.
(c) Roark prefers swimming to paying attention in class.
(d) He fears that Roark might get his job.

5. How does Peter go about getting rid of Heyer?
(a) He informs Francon that Heyer is embezzling from the company.
(b) He puts medication in Heyer's coffee that causes him to have a stroke.
(c) He confronts him with a shady business deal Heyer once made.
(d) He plays up his friendship with the old man.

Short Answer Questions

1. When Dominique reveals that Toohey got Roark the job of building the temple to destroy him, what is Roark's reaction?

2. How is it clear that Peter knows Dominique is in love with another man?

3. Why do Roark and the electrician, Mike, become great friends?

4. Why does Roark agree to go to the Holcombe party?

5. What does Toohey write in his column about the Enright house?

Short Essay Questions

1. Discuss how Rand accuses critics of distorting reality when Peter finally meets Toohey.

2. At the beginning of the novel, Howard Roark stands naked on a granite cliff preparing to dive into the waves below. Describe how this scene sets the stage for the entire novel.

3. Even after Dominique gives testimony that should have swayed the jury, Stoddard wins the lawsuit. Gail Wynand cables the "Banner" to fire Dominique. What is the significance of Dominique's reaction to being fired?

4. In 1892, Henry Cameron was the most promising architect of his day, having introduced the idea of the skyscraper. One year later, the popular classical designs of the Columbian Exposition of Chicago ruined Cameron's career. How does Ayn Rand use this to introduce the ideas of individualism versus socialistic dogma?

5. Considering the number of jobs Roark did not get or turned down, explain the difference between Roark and Peter Keating.

6. Discuss the idea of "ownership" in the relationship between Dominique and Roark.

7. Dominique writes that the Enright house is a "mockery to all the structures of the city." Most people believe that she is panning the building. What is her real meaning?

8. As Cameron becomes ill and gives up, Roark continues to think for himself. At the same time, Ellsworth Toohey is gaining a larger following for his idea of collectivity versus individualism. How does this foreshadow the struggles that Roark will face?

9. What are the similarities and differences between Howard Roark and Steven Mallory?

10. Discuss Rand's use of premonition in chapter 12 when Katie shows up at Peter's apartment.

(see the answer keys)

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