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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. Where does Deke send word about the landing?

2. What does Harvey's group do?

3. What does Eileen do to give them a better driving experience?

4. What does Tim want?

5. Who is driving while Eileen sleeps?

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

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

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

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

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

7. What is the difficult part about guard duty at the Jellison stronghold?

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

9. Discuss Maureen's conversation with the Reverend Varley and her response to it.

10. What does Tim suggest about the power plant and what is the ultimate decision?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Harry Newcombe, the mail carrier, decides to continue delivering his mail despite all that has occurred. Additionally, he self-appoints his role as message carrier to the area around the Jellison ranch. Discuss the following:

How does Harry's role provide some comic relief to the intensity of so much else that is happening?

Do you think Harry as a self-proclaimed messenger has an important role in the book? Why or why not.

Does Harry maintaining his mail schedule help to calm others? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Gordie and the Boy Scouts rescue some girl scouts from bikers who are abusing the girls. The boys and girls then pair off and create a new community. Discuss the following:

Assuming these boys and girls range in ages from 13-16, do you think it is responsible of Gordie as an adult to allow and/or even encourage the arrangement between the girls and boys?

Are these young people old enough to make the decision to not return with Harvey? Explain.

If you were a girl that was rescued, would you be willing to participate in the pairing off and all that implies? Why or why not?

What do you think the group would do to any boy or girl or refuses to pair off? Explain.

Is it moral for an adult to pair off with a sixteen year old girl, especially considering he has a wife already?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,560 words (approx. 6 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample