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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 disturbs Dwight about one painting?

2. Who starts the push to get the fishing season moved back in Australia?

3. Why do they conclude that the city around the Naval Yard shows almost no damage?

4. When do Broken Hill and Perth go out because of the radiation?

5. What amenity is given to Dwight?

Short Essay Questions

1. What condition does Peter put on his continuing service in the Navy?

2. How does being in the submarine compare to racing the Ferrari to John?

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

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

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

6. How does Mary put out of her mind that Sydney and Adelaide now have the radiation sickness?

7. Explain the surprise Moira has for Dwight when they meet for lunch.

8. What is the understanding between Dwight and Moira that is verbalized on their fishing trip?

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

10. Why does John say his uncle, Sir Froude, still appears to be healthy?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay about the benefits of learning other cultures. Use the fact that the Americans and Australians learn a lot from each other in ON THE BEACH. Then discuss the many things that can be learned from experiencing other cultures.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay about the value of friendships. Using John and Peter as examples, write about the support one gets from making good friendships in life. Sometimes family is not near or for some reason cannot offer the support a good friend has to offer.

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 620 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample