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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. In Book Two, Swan, Josh, and Rusty work as __________.

2. What is the name of the child bandit who was shot during the raid on Sister's group?

3. What do Josh and Glory work on together?

4. The people of Mary's Rest suspect that DeLauren's face was made hideous by his Job's Mask because he performed what crime?

5. How does Roland feel about what his Job's Mask might reveal when it falls off?

Short Essay Questions

1. What effect does the shard from the glass ring have on Hugh?

2. How does Roland feel about Macklin during the fighting with the American Allegiance and Mary's Rest?

3. What does Macklin think of what his Job's Mask has done to his face?

4. How is Swan's group welcomed to Mary's Rest?

5. How does Rusty save Swan?

6. What is the relationship between Roland and Friend?

7. What unusual promise does the evil man make after his struggle with Josh?

8. What bothers Swan about the dead child at the lake?

9. How does touching the glass ring for the first time change Swan?

10. How is Swan trapped and then freed?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At the beginning of the novel, the threat of nuclear war looms over the characters. The tensions between the United States and Russia are at an all-time high, and nuclear attacks could start at any minute. The characters live in fear and don't know how to deal with the enormity of the threat.

1) Explain the diplomatic situation at the beginning of the novel that puts the United States and Russia at the brink of nuclear war.

2) Discuss some of the reactions various people have to this threat. Explain the range of reactions, and discuss how rational or reactionary these behaviors are.

3) Discuss how reasonable and believable these reactions are, and speculate as to what some other reactions might be.

Essay Topic 2

After the blasts, the western part of the United States becomes a war zone, with many small armies competing for scarce resources, the Army of Excellence being only one of many. These groups raid and pillage the countryside, causing untold amounts of suffering, death, and pain.

1) Discuss the reasons that the armies form after the blasts, and discuss why they are prominent in the West.

2) Explain how these armies operate, supply themselves, and interact.

3) Describe the typical modes of warfare employed by the armies.

4) Summarize the impact that the armies have on the regions where they operate.

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the novel, many characters sacrifice themselves for causes they believe are more important than themselves. These decisions are obviously not easy, but they are made quickly and with no regrets.

1) Explain the sacrifices that Leona and Rusty make for Swan's sake.

2) Explain Macklin's sacrifice at the end of the novel. Why was this action relatively unexpected? Discuss whether or not this act does anything to redeem Macklin.

3) Discuss why some characters become quickly resolved to lay down their lives, whereas others do not rise to the challenge.

4) Explain the importance of the theme of sacrifice to the overall theme of forgiveness and redemption in the novel.

(see the answer keys)

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