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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. What weapons were used in the Russian-Chinese war?
(a) dirty bombs
(b) hydrogen and cobalt bombs
(c) small atomic warheads
(d) siberians and mongals

2. Why does Dwight think forty percent of his crew will not return to the Scorpion?
(a) they have Australian girlfriends
(b) they are tired of useless trips
(c) they cannot stand being submerged
(d) they want to die on land

3. When had Dwight attended a briefing about the threat of war?
(a) one month before it broke out
(b) the day it started
(c) just a week before it started
(d) as early as a year ago

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

5. Why does Osbourne say that perhaps people did not deserve the world?
(a) the world has too much to offer
(b) we deserve something better
(c) the animals have more sense
(d) we have been too silly

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the southernmost major city in the world?

2. What happens that night at Peter's and Mary's house?

3. Why does the USS Swordfish not come to Australia?

4. What does Moira's father ask Dwight?

5. How is it recorded that the people died?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is the consensus about which countries actually started the war?

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

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

5. Describe briefly what the story is about.

6. Why have methods of transportation changed in Australia?

7. How is Moira Davidson dealing with the eminent threat of death by radiation?

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

9. What does it mean that the people had all died tidily?

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

(see the answer keys)

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