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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 happens to Harry's truck?

2. Why does Harry think the stronghold will want Dan Forrester?

3. Over what are fights erupting in Alim's group?

4. What does Deke figure out about Alim's group?

5. What is the topic of the meeting?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does one man who is scavenging with Deke say people are going to have to get used to, and do you think he is right?

2. What does it seem the general philosophy of life is now for most people?

3. What idea does Dan Forrester have to stop the New Brotherhood Army and does it seem plausible?

4. What decision does Jellison make about Bonar and do you agree with his decision?

5. What are Maureen's thoughts about the prisoners from the Brotherhood and do you agree with her?

6. What are some people resorting to as they try to survive and what do you think of the idea?

7. What convinces Jellison to admit Harvey and his group to the ranch and what is the implication?

8. What does Maureen struggle with when she is out inventorying supplies in the area?

9. What does Al tell Harvey about Maureen?

10. How does Harvey help Maureen resolve her inner conflict?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When Harvey comes home just after the comet begins striking the earth, he finds his wife and dog murdered and his house ransacked with the supplies he had carefully laid up for disaster stolen. He lies down and starts to go to sleep. Discuss the following:

Why do you think Harvey just lies down and goes to sleep?

What do you think would have happened had Joanne and Mark not arrived?

Why do you think some people react to survive in a crisis and others just give up and resign themselves to death?

Essay Topic 2

As Joanna listens to Mark and Frank, she's increasingly annoyed that Mark continually interrupts Frank with opinions of his own regarding what other catastrophes could cause the end of the world. Frank had originally been undecided whether to accompany the couple, but had gone because he felt Mark incapable of protecting Joanna and Joanna overly confident that she could protect herself. This book is set in the time in which it is written, the mid-1970s. Choose one of the following to discuss:

Discuss three predominant characteristics of 2 of the major female characters in the book. Do you think these women would be portrayed in a similar fashion in a book written today?

Do women still "need" protecting by men? If such a catastrophe happened in the first decade of the 21st century, would women have a different role than in this book?

Some of the fights take place because there are not enough women to "go around." Discuss this idea and its implications.

Essay Topic 3

While Tim and Eileen are going through a rather intense experience of escaping to the Jellison ranch, they are stopped for a while at a collapsed bridge. Despite their situation and the emotional trauma, Tim wants to make love. Discuss the following:

Why is it about humans that they can adapt to the most horrific situations and in the midst of such carry on such mundane tasks as eating, making love, or even play (especially children)?

Do you think Tim is unusual in his ability to put aside all the stress of the moment and just do something that is "normal"?

Is it a sign of health or mental disease that Tim (or anyone) can momentarily block out the external circumstances and do something that is not required at the moment for survival--something that for the most part is intended to provide pleasure?

(see the answer keys)

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