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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 has Bill decided by the end of Chapter Two?

2. What day does the narrator compare Wednesday to, based on sound?

3. What does the sighted leader of blind drunks take from the streets and give to one of the men?

4. What is one theory of how the triffids appeared?

5. What happened in Indo-China that related the strangeness of the triffid?

Short Essay Questions

1. Do you think the narrator is right to leave the blind group in the lobby of the hospital, knowing they cannot see to get out?

2. Describe the argument between the sighted leader of the blind at the gates of University Tower and the sighted leaders of the sighted colony at the university.

3. Explain the irony of the blind man Bill finds in Chapter Three, who was blind before the comet.

4. Following the witness of a couple committing suicide, Bill admits to himself that he must 'grow a hide'. Explain his meaning.

5. Give a brief explanation of the various speculations pertaining to the coming of the triffids.

6. What is revealed about the triffids in Chapter Four, and how is this revealed in the book?

7. Describe the events of the night of May 7th, in terms of what the narrator notes is said to have occurred, according to history books.

8. Describe why Bill finds it difficult at first to break the law, even for food.

9. Describe the circumstances that resulted in Bill's hospitalization.

10. Describe the scene where the narrator first learns of the blindness that plagues mankind.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Emergency Council of Britain proposes to establish military rule over the colonies of England and to force them into servitude for the masses. In short, the able are tasked to care for the disabled, even at the risk of their own health and welfare. Such a concept is somewhat socialistic in nature. Do you think such a plan is feasible or fair? Why or why not? Do you think Bill's farm could support so many individuals? Why or why not? Do you think the Emergency Council's concept that they need to be ready for other nations to attempt to over run England is realistic? Why? Why does Wyndham include such ideas at the end of the novel? What does the Emergency Council likely represent?

Essay Topic 2

Loneliness is a constant theme in the novel, and in several cases, is the cause for severe depression or drastic decisions. Choose a part of the story where loneliness plays an important part (such as in the beginning of Chapter Thirteen, where Bill is searching for Josella). What causes the character's loneliness? What are the effects of the emotion? Could the person have solved the issue? What does this say about the effect of loneliness on humans? Why is this effect so profound?

Essay Topic 3

The role of women drastically changes in the novel from pre-crisis to immediately following the crisis to long term. Explain this shift in roles. What were women prior to the event? How did that role change immediately following the comet? How did this again change when viewing long term goals of society? What is the new primary function of women in the new society? Does this differ greatly from the view of women prior to the catastrophe? In what way? Do you believe women could easily shift roles this way in reality? Why or why not?

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