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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. The American Allegiance was led by an individual who formerly held what profession?

2. What does the evil man want the Army of Excellence to bring him?

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

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

5. What was Glory's husband's profession?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Sister and Swan recover the glass ring?

2. What thoughts haunt Roland?

3. What does Swan realize about the dead child?

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

5. What is the relationship between Roland and Friend?

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

7. What preparation does the town make to defend itself from the Army of Excellence?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Near the end of the novel, Friend admits that his goal is to destroy the human spirit.

1) Explain what is meant by the human spirit in the context of the novel.

2) Explain why Friend wants to destroy the human spirit and the world that would exist if he succeeded.

3) Discuss ways that the human spirit is degraded or strengthened throughout the novel, and explain how these ends are achieved.

4) Describe Swan's impact on the strength of the human spirit in other individuals and communities.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 790 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample