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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 is taking place in Mary's Rest when Sister's group arrives?

2. The American Allegiance was headed to Warwick Mountain, located in what state?

3. Rusty remembers the saying "fight fire with fire." Which member of his family was fond of saying that phrase?

4. On the way to Mary's Rest, where does Sister's group become lost?

5. What security measure does Friend bypass on Warwick Mountain?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Robin want to see Swan?

2. What happens between Swan and the evil man at the apple truck?

3. How has the Army of Excellence evolved since the events of Book One?

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

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

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

7. What is revealed when Swan's mask falls off?

8. How is Swan trapped and then freed?

9. What does Swan realize about the dead child?

10. What does Hugh say about the state of the western part of the United States ?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Macklin is a troubled and deeply flawed man.

1) Describe Macklin's background and personality.

2) Explain Macklin's relationship with and dependency on the Shadow Soldier.

3) Discuss how and why Macklin feels guilt for his actions and how he is able to overcome this guilt.

4) Explain why Macklin experiences a moral shift near the end of the novel and turns against Roland and Friend.

Essay Topic 2

At the beginning of the novel, the President of the united states is obsessed with fire. He says that mankind has always been obsessed with it, and he becomes obsessed with it himself. Fire recurs throughout the novel as a powerful symbol, being particularly associated with Friend. Near the end of the novel, it is revealed that the former President intends to activate a doomsday device that melts the ice caps, which is another use of fire for destructive ends.

1) Discuss the President's interest in and obsession with fire as a symbol. Explain what causes this obsession and how it affects him after the nuclear blasts.

2) Cite examples from the book to describe how fire is associated with Friend. What theme does the author establish through the use of this association?

3) Describe other uses of fire as a symbol in the novel, including Rusty's saying of "fighting fire with fire."

4) Explain what fire is intended to represent in the novel, and how this concept stands contrary to what the protagonists are trying to achieve.

Essay Topic 3

Hope is an integral part of the will to survive that is essential to so many characters in the novel. It gives many characters strength and a reason to stay alive. When Swan gives the community of Mary's Rest new reason to hope, the entire community comes to life and organizes to improve itself and stand against the invading Army of Excellence.

1) Describe some ways that characters or groups maintain hope, including mantras, rituals, and beliefs.

2) Discuss some of the consequences for people or groups who give up hope.

3) Explain how Swan is able to restore hope to Mary's Rest and what the impact of that gift is to the community.

4) Summarize how hope affects the survivors, how it is cultivated and maintained, and how it can be spread.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 911 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample