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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. Why are they not sure about the radiation sickness in Cape Town?

2. How does John Osbourne finish in the first race of the Grand Prix?

3. What seems to increase the tolerance to radioactivity, by a few days?

4. Under what terms does Peter agree to stay on as Dwight's liaison officer?

5. What does John Osbourne look forward to after the next submarine trip?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the symbolism of Dwight's thinking about his family while on board the Scorpion.

2. How is John Osbourne able to race his car so much?

3. Describe the contradictory things Peter brings home for the baby.

4. How is John Osbourne different in the face of coming death?

5. What is Mary's initial reaction to the suicide pills and syringe?

6. What is it that Moira agrees to do for Mary if Peter does not return in time?

7. Why do things begin to slow down in Melbourne?

8. What does John Osbourne tell Peter when he asks about how much more time they have?

9. How does John say the sickness goes near the end?

10. Explain what prevents Dwight from going fishing for trout before September 1st.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay about the pointlessness of using alcohol or drugs to avoid facing realities. Mention how people in the novel first started having boisterous parties with lots of alcohol consumption but later realized that it was not helping to solve the problem. Turn you essay to people who attempt to use mind altering substances as a way of dealing with problems of a much smaller scale than the extreme problem of ON THE BEACH.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay on how families face problems together. Use the Holmes family as a good example. Use John Osbourne as an example of a man who does not have a family of his own. State your opinion about the value of a family during difficult times.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay about optimism as the mirror image of denial. Express the difference between optimism and denial. Give examples from the novel that indicate an optimism that something might happen to prevent the approaching radiation cloud from reaching Melbourne.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 654 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample