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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. What is Roark's commission at the end of the novel?

2. What do Gail Wynand and Dominique discuss when they go sailing?

3. Why is Dominique jealous after the house is built?

4. How does Dominique feel about the Wynand building?

5. How is Gail Wynand able to build the Wynand building after shutting down the "Banner"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Wynand begins to find some inner peace from visiting the building site of his new house. Discuss the reasons for this change in Wynand.

2. Discuss the symbolism of the Wynand Building rising from Hell's Kitchen.

3. Describe the situation when Wynand sees that he has underestimated Toohey and is in danger of losing the paper.

4. How does Wynand exonerate himself and regain his own integrity?

5. Describe how Gail Wynand's early childhood led to his great cynicism.

6. How does Roark's destruction of Cortland Homes relate to his sense of integrity?

7. When Wynand presents Dominique with a diamond necklace, they have two different takes on where the money came from to pay for it. What were those points of view and what did each one mean?

8. How does Roark's self defense at his trial sum up Rand's statement about the value of the individual over socialism?

9. On board the yacht, how does Rand use the setting to voice her opposition to socialism?

10. Roark tells Peter that "it is I who have destroyed you." Explain what he means by that statement.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one of the following buildings designed by Roark and explain its importance to the story: (a) the Stoddard temple; (b) the gasoline station; (c) Monadnock Valley resort.

Essay Topic 2

In chapter 9, Toohey is described in the university as the student all others turned to for advice. Rand writes that "people noticed Ellsworth Toohey seldom let a boy pursue the career he had chosen." Write an essay on why Toohey was compelled to guide students away from their aspirations.

Essay Topic 3

Toohey is Roark's nemesis in the novel. All through the story, Toohey seems to fear Roark, but Roark has no fear of Toohey. Write an essay explaining why you think that is true.

(see the answer keys)

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