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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 unusual sight does Swan witness while her mother is fighting with "Uncle" Tommy?

2. As he lies trapped, Colonel Macklin has a flashback to his time in what place?

3. Sister Creep has what occupation at the beginning of the novel?

4. How does Macklin's inner voice react to what he discovers when he is called away by Perimeter Control?

5. When he tries to stop at PawPaw's store, Josh Hutchin's car passes through which of the following?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Roland do during his family's initial visit to Earth House that demonstrates that he is reckless and insensitive?

2. How does Sister Creep react to seeing the Spanish woman's dead child?

3. What special powers does the glass ring exhibit as Sister and her group begin to use it?

4. Describe Sister Creep's reaction when she emerges from the subway tunnels.

5. What decision does Josh make while he and the others are sleeping in the barn, and what is its significance?

6. Describe the dream that Sister Creep has when she is hiding in the unused subway tunnels.

7. What is the strategy of the United States to prevent further advances by the USSR?

8. What does Roland do for Colonel Macklin?

9. Describe the problem that occurs at Earth House just after the nuclear attacks begin.

10. What major events does Sister "Creep" believe will happen very soon?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Family is extremely important to some characters in the novel. Swan, Josh, Roland, and others come from backgrounds of broken families. They struggle to deal with their needs for companionship and company.

1) Identify the characters that struggle with family identity. Explain what problems are caused for them by this struggle.

2) Discuss some of the improvised families that form over the course of the novel. How do these social groups support their members and improve their lives?

3) Explain the importance of the theme of family to the overall message of the novel.

Essay Topic 2

Many characters believe they are touched and affected by destiny. They see themselves as having a specific purpose and are driven to fulfill it. Rarely does this steer the characters in the wrong way, tending to confirm their beliefs. In most cases, the protagonists who embrace their destinies meet with success and gain the strength that they need in order to carry on.

1) Discuss Josh and his perception of his purpose and destiny. Describe how his destiny is imparted to him, how well he pursues it, and how embracing it gives him strength at various points in the novel.

2) Describe Sister's deep-seated belief in her destiny and her role in the world. How is this belief affect by her deep faith? How does her belief in her destiny help her to stay on her intended path?

3) Discuss some of the other minor characters who are driven by what they perceive to be their destinies.

4) Summarize the effect of destiny on the protagonists of the story. Are their beliefs usually well founded or erroneous? Are they helpful or harmful?

Essay Topic 3

Leona introduces the theme of inner and outward beauty when she meets Swan. Soon after, the Job's Masks begin to take effect on many survivors.

1) Explain Leona's comments about a person's inner and outward face.

2) Discuss the impact that the Job's masks have on their wearers before the masks' real function becomes widely known.

3) Describe the function of Job's Masks and use specific examples to explain how they help to reflect a person's inner beauty or ugliness.

4) Speculate as to the intent and purpose behind the Job's Masks and describe what kind of a being would have an interest in bringing about the masks' observed effects.

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