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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. What does Peter do as the sub returns to Melbourne?

2. What does Moira say about the way people are going on with their lives?

3. How did the war escalate?

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

5. When is the radiation expected to reach Australia?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Moira's objection to Dwight's suggestion that she go to school?

2. Explain where is it deemed possible that life might actually be able to continue on Earth?

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

4. How has the boisterous revelry of the townspeople changed over the past year?

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

6. How do some people hold the hope that one day humans will again populate the Earth?

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

8. Why did governments resort to using nuclear weapons?

9. Describe Moira's attitude toward life.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay about ON THE BEACH as a valuable resource for arguing against nuclear proliferation. In your essay include who should read the book as required reading. These people should be drawn from government and military sources, religious sources, and concerned individuals.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay on the absurdity of nuclear armament. In your essay discuss why governments still stockpile nuclear weapons after what was learned at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Express whether you think nuclear weapons will ever be abandoned all over the word.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay on living out your dreams. John Osbourne in the novel actually missed many years of excitement and pleasure by not racing cars until it was almost too late. In your essay talk about following your dreams because all of life is uncertain anyway.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 584 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample