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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does the USS Swordfish not come to Australia?
(a) it is carrying a deadly disease
(b) it got contaminated while not submerged
(c) it has a leak in the hull and connot submerge
(d) its fuel reactor is broken

2. When does the story take place?
(a) 1944
(b) 1957
(c) 1961
(d) 1970

3. What does Dwight tell Moira about a submarine scouting trip up the east coast of America?
(a) the ship never returned
(b) the submarine hit a mine and was destroyed
(c) there is nothing left alive
(d) the radiation levels are coming down

4. How did the war escalate?
(a) when Japan joined the conflict
(b) the nuclear fallout began affecting other countries
(c) no one really knows
(d) other countries seeing a chance to gain territory

5. What is John Osbourne's estimate of how long they have to live?
(a) about a year
(b) about three months
(c) about a decade
(d) about six months

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Moira offer to do for Dwight?

2. Why is the USS Scorpion able to sail in spite of the fuel shortage?

3. What does Mary do to protect the baby from the measles?

4. What is at the Pastoral Club that Sir Froude wants to help eliminate?

5. When is the radiation expected to reach Australia?

Short Essay Questions

1. Tell what is known about the global nuclear war.

2. What is Dwight's experience in church the weekend he spends with Peter and Mary?

3. In what way does Dwight hold out some hope for the situation?

4. How had Dwight been warned of the possibility of the war?

5. How does the story begin?

6. Why have people grown accustomed to the radiation coming their way and just go about their regular business?

7. Describe briefly what the story is about.

8. What does John Osbourne estimate was the size of the nuclear war that was fought?

9. Explain why Peter, a navy lieutenant-commander, has not worked for the past seven months.

10. What does Moira learn about Dwight while touring the submarine?

(see the answer keys)

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