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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. Which term, meaning self-settlers, do Ukranians use to designate the remaining permanent residents of the Zone?

2. What major life event was Dylan going through at the time of the trip to the Zone?

3. How does O'Connell describe Caroline's position?

4. What action does O'Connell name as the one that launched him "on a course of alternate hopefulness and despair" (167)?

5. The graph discussed in Chapter 6: "Under the Hide" depicts measurements of what type of consumption?

Short Essay Questions

1. What event was the catalyst for O'Connell's son's epiphany about the role of the artist?

2. How many people lived in the location now referred to as the Zone prior to the nuclear disaster?

3. What is the symbolism of the graph depicting continual human progress over time?

4. Who is Thich Nhat Hanh?

5. Who or what is the Lorax?

6. What distinction does O'Connell make about the Zone and why is the observation ironic?

7. What is the most recognizable landmark in all of Pripyat and why?

8. What was the final task assigned to the participants on the retreat described in Chapter 6: Under the Hide?

9. What judgment did O'Connell make about Igor before turning the microscope back on himself?

10. Explain the term 'samoseli'.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss O'Connell's treatment of truth, lies, and hypocrisy within the text of Notes From an Apocalypse. Include discussion of self-delusion as well.

Essay Topic 2

How does O'Connell use sensory details in order to strengthen the text’s messages? Discuss at least two passages that include the use of sensory details and pull quotes from these passages to support your claim.

Essay Topic 3

Examine the roles of O’Connell’s family members within Notes From an Apocalypse. How does O'Connell use each person’s role to highlight themes included within the overall narrative?

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