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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. Where does Peter have an appointment?
(a) at the Naval Hospital
(b) at the Navy Department in Melbourne
(c) with the Mayor of Melbourne
(d) on the USS Scorpion

2. What sober reflection to the men on the Scorpion have about Cairns, Moresby or Darwin?
(a) they will return to collect the dead
(b) only dogs and wild animals will live there
(c) they will be the last humans to ever see them
(d) the cities will fall into the sea

3. Why does it not take long to bring Osbourne on board the submarine?
(a) he will use the ship's equipment
(b) he is in a hurry to get started
(c) he is passed out drunk and carried onto the ship
(d) most of his equipment is portable

4. How does Peter get to town and to the local farmer for milk?
(a) he rides a bicycle
(b) he walks
(c) he uses roller skates
(d) he rides a pony

5. How long does the USS Swordfish report being submerged that might be a record?
(a) three weeks
(b) six months
(c) forty days
(d) thirty-two days

Short Answer Questions

1. When does the story take place?

2. Why does the USS Swordfish leave Rio for Montevideo?

3. What is John's uncle doing that he had given up for health reasons?

4. Why are they forbidden to go to Townsville?

5. What does Dwight encourage Moira to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. How has the war simplified life in Australia to a large extent?

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

3. What is notable about Mary's plans for her garden?

4. Describe what the USS Scorpion crew sees everywhere they go.

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

6. Why did governments resort to using nuclear weapons?

7. Describe Moira's attitude toward life.

8. How does Shute explain the proliferation of atomic weapons?

9. What is of special interest about the radio signals coming from around Seattle?

10. How does the USS Swordfish illustrate the movement of the radiation?

(see the answer keys)

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