View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where do Coker and Bill go at the end of Chapter Nine?

2. What does Dennis learn to help him in the future?

3. What does Coker point out are the most dangerous things?

4. What does the redheaded leader of the other group do when he sights Bill?

5. How does Bill suggest they begin to search for Josella in the Downs?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe how Joyce became poisoned and how she was saved.

2. Explain how Coker meets with Bill again.

3. Explain why the young woman comes to Bill in his room in Chapter Eight, and his reaction.

4. Describe how Coker came to remain sighted.

5. Describe Miss Durrant's views, and her Tynsham community.

6. Describe Bill's view of loneliness.

7. Describe how Bill first discovers the plague, its symptoms, and its result.

8. Why do you think the small groups located by helicopter in Chapter Twelve choose not to join other groups?

9. How does Coker view Miss Durrant, and what does he believe she will do with Tynsham?

10. Describe what occurs to the young woman at the end of Chapter Eight, and Bill's thoughts of her.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the novel, Bill blames satellites for the end of society. He suggests that the satellites were weapons and that one held radiation that would burn out the eye. Examine this concept from the standpoint of the book's writing. What was the atmosphere, as explained by Bill in the novel, like at the time? What was happening in the world? What was the Cold War? Why were people so afraid of satellites? Why would Bill blame them for the end of the civilized world? Do you think such a concept makes sense? Why or why not? What does this say about the technological advancements at the time?

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the novel, there is a consistent struggle between doing what is morally right and doing what is necessary for survival. Choose one representation of this struggle from the following list and explain it in detail. What is the conflict? Why is there a conflict? How is one path more morally right than the other? Can the moral path not lead to survival in some way and the survival path not be made moralistically right? Why or why not? Be sure to be specific in relating the struggle back to the novel.

• Married men at University Tower being forced to mate and care for two blind women, as well.

• The forced care of ten blind persons by one sighted person as dictated by the Emergency Council.

• The choice of saving the blind at Tynsham even at the expense of the sighted.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,047 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample