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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 will happen when the radiation covers the Southern hemisphere?

2. Why does Peter not hold out much hope for a naval assignment?

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

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

5. What does Dwight announce for their next voyage?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Describe briefly what the story is about.

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

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

6. Explain Moira's answer that she will face the facts of life next September.

7. How does the story begin?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a critique of Nevil Shute's ON THE BEACH. Evaluate Shute as a story teller and how well he holds the attention of the reader. Also evaluate the importance of the subject matter and whether it contributes a good message to the world. Mention the parts you think are strongest and weakest in the book. Conclude with a recommendation as to who would most benefit from reading the novel.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay on suicide as a way of avoiding an otherwise very painful death. Include the moral aspects of suicide in general and explain whether or not you think there may be extenuating circumstances that make suicide acceptable.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay about the value of creativity. Refer to the ways the people of Melbourne adjusted to not having fuel to operate cars and other things they no longer had access to. In your essay write about how creative people can find ways to facilitate life even in extreme situations.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 681 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample