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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 Rick Delanty doing?

2. What do the people at Jellison decide?

3. Why are there girls at the camp?

4. Who are some of the people at the meeting?

5. When Tim comes up from under the water, what does he see?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why is Harvey designate to create obstacles for the New Brotherhood Army and what does he call himself?

3. What does Harvey do and how do his tactics work on delaying the Brotherhood?

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

5. How does the Reverend Armitage contribute to the unsavory things Alim and Hooker's group are already doing?

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

7. How does Tim and his group get admitted to the ranch?

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

9. How does Harvey convince Al that he is a valuable addition to the needs of the people in this area?

10. What does Al tell Harvey about Maureen?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

As Tim is trying to get out of the city, he grabs an abandoned tape recorder and microphone and shoves it into an armed man's face, asking questions. Discuss one of the following:

Obviously Tim thinks quickly on his feet. This might be called an instance of "survival of the fittest." Discuss this concept as it appears through the entire book.

For some, survival has included cannibalism. Discuss the moral implications of cannibalism as a means of survival. Use examples from the book and real life (think of Donner Pass and the plane crash in the Andies).

Should the concept of "survival of the fittest" be the guiding principle in such a situation as that in Lucifer's Hammer?

Essay Topic 2

At the Jellison ranch, the Senator holds court to judge guilt in offenses and mete out punishment. There is no jury or trial, merely one man hearing the evidence and then deciding guilt and punishment. Discuss the following:

Considering the situation, do you think the method that they use for adjudicating crime is fair? Why or why not?

Do you think it is fair to sentence Bonar to almost-certain death by leaving the community for his crime of hoarding? Why or why not?

What would you have done about the Bonar situation, especially in light of the children, who are not responsible for their father's breaking of the rules?

Do they have to be more stringent about the rules in these circumstances? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

In an underground concrete bunker somewhere in the northeastern United States, Major Bennet Rosten and Captain Harold Luce are waiting commands. The US fears that the Russians will believe the US "blind and crippled" by the comet event, using that as a time to strike. Discuss the following:

Is it realistic to think that in the middle of a terrible, global crisis that the Russians would launch nuclear warheads at another country? Why or why not?

Why do you think China makes a preemptive strike against Russian when all countries may have to cooperate to overcome total global annihilation from the effects of the comet?

Would you authorize nuclear weapon attacks during such a crisis? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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