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

2. According to Sister and Josh, what is the evil man's weakness?

3. What sound haunts Sheila?

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

5. When Sister gives the glass ring to Swan, what does she feel is over?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why does Robin decide to help Sister's group?

3. What arrangements does the evil man make with the Army of Excellence?

4. How does Rusty save Swan?

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

6. Based on events at Mary's Rest and within the Army of Excellence, what effect do the Job's Masks appear to have on their wearer's faces?

7. What thoughts haunt Roland?

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

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

10. What is Sister's mission, and what signs guide her on the way?

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

Many people and artifacts exhibit miraculous powers throughout the novel. It is clear that after the blasts, the world has changed in some fundamental ways. Magical or divine powers are present in the world and commonplace in the narrative of the protagonists.

1) Discuss the individuals who are known to demonstrate supernatural powers. Speculate as to where and how these powers might originate.

2) Explain some of the artifacts that are known to possess supernatural powers. Where do these objects originate? Were they mundane before the blasts? What imbued them with power?

3) Describe some of the ways that these miraculous powers affect the plot of the novel. Explain situations wherein they were critical to the story. Explain other important situations where they were merely incidental, and the focus of the story is on the people and their interactions, feelings, or emotions.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 943 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample