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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 does Tim encounter on his way to the lab?
(a) A group of riot-equipped cops.
(b) Several large craters.
(c) A huge rock blocking the road.
(d) A group of men in white robes chained to streetlights and begging passersby to pray that the comet misses Earth.

2. Who fires nuclear weapons upon the Soviets?
(a) India.
(b) The USA.
(c) China.
(d) Iran.

3. Why does Gil think he might live?
(a) He is an optimist.
(b) He is nowhere near any comet strikes.
(c) He is sixty feet underground in a bunker.
(d) He beats the water to the top of the tsunami wave.

4. What does Tim tell the men at the collapsed tunnel about California?
(a) It is gone.
(b) It is fine.
(c) Most of it is under water.
(d) It suffers minimal damage.

5. Who are the Sinanians?
(a) Friends of Harry who live in Los Angeles.
(b) Two more visitors to the Mucho Nombre Ranch.
(c) A couple who have an entirely automated egg operation.
(d) The Jellison's cook and driver.

Short Answer Questions

1. What project is Harvey beginning?

2. How do Jason and Harry celebrate the announcement?

3. How do Tim and Eileen manage to get away from the city?

4. What is Delores expecting?

5. What forms over Mexico?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Harvey's reaction to what he finds and do you understand his reaction?

2. What policy does Jellison and his cohorts decide upon and do you agree with them?

3. What exchange between Barry and Delores seems to remove some pressure from Barry?

4. Why are Frank, Mark and Joanne in the desert?

5. Most of the major characters are introduced in these first dozen or so chapters and much of what is written is about the protagonist(s), antagonist(s) and secondary characters. Define those three terms.

6. What is one repercussion of the "gloom and doom" message preached by Henry Armitage and others?

7. Briefly describe Tim and Eileen's journey by car to the observatory.

8. Identify who you think are the protagonist(s), antagonist(s) and two or three secondary characters and why.

9. What happens when Tim and Eileen try to buy a car and what is the implication?

10. What advice does Tim give the ranger?

(see the answer keys)

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