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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. Who is Delores?

2. Who is driving the travel all as they leave Harvey's house?

3. For what city are the archaeologists searching?

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

5. What is Harvey driving to get home?

Short Essay Questions

1. How are Harvey and Gordie somewhat similar in their financial situations?

2. Who is Alim Nasser and how does he choose unwisely to face the situation about the comet strike?

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

4. Discuss how carefully Gordie plans his suicide.

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. Why do most scientists misjudge the path of the comet before it hits earth?

7. What do Tim and Eileen do after leaving the observatory and what is your analysis of their actions?

8. Describe the activities aboard the space shuttle and comment upon the conversation.

9. Describe a couple of Harry's "appointed rounds" and an evaluation of this man.

10. What makes Gordie decide not to commit suicide?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Harvey and his friend, Gordie, both have financial problems. Discuss the following:

Compare and contrast the methods both men use to deal with their financial problems.

What personality traits about each man make them solve their problems in different ways? Give examples.

Do you think Gordie being given a second chance will change him? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Soon after the comet hits, Eric goes back to the Burbank Jail where he finds that a jailer has released all the prisoners except Fred. Eric, citing the fact that no one deserved to die locked in a cell, kills the murderer. Discuss the following:

Do you believe Eric did the right thing in killing Fred?

What if it were a prisoner where the certainty of his guilt was not proved; then what should Eric do?

What do you think should happen in the prisons across the United States where those serving time have been found guilty in a court of law? Should they be released from certain death if they remain locked up?

Essay Topic 3

Harvey and Senator Jellison are two of the most influential characters in Lucifer's Hammer and have a major impact on the rest of the people in the story.

Part 1) Compare and contrast the characters of Harvey and the Senator. How are they the same? How are they different?

Part 2) What do you think would have happened if these two characters, Harvey and Senator Jellison, never existed in the story? Use events from the book where the direct influence of Harvey and Senator Jellison had an impact on others.

Part 3) Who is the better leader,Harvey and Senator Jellison? Cite several examples from the book to support your case.

(see the answer keys)

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