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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 does Bill help the young woman do at the end of Chapter Eight?

2. What happens when Bill drives too fast in the small town?

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

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

5. What method does the group use next to search for Beadley's party?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain Bill's argument that an immediate need for harvest is not necessary.

2. Explain what Bill finds at Tynsham.

3. Describe how Bill finds Josella.

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

5. Explain Josella's fears about her wedding.

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

7. Describe how Coker came to remain sighted.

8. Describe the three people Bill and Coker meet in Beaminster.

9. What was Coker's response to Miss Durrant's chastising of his brutal methods at University Tower?

10. Describe what happens to Bill at the beginning of Chapter Eight, in terms of how he is kidnapped.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the book, many of the characters appear to come from the upper class, such as Josella, while others, such as Coker, seem to come from a more meager background. How do you think this separation of class affects the different societies that emerge within the novel? Do you think social class has any bearing in this new world? If so, what? If not, what does have bearing? Do the leaders of the communities appear to be of a certain social class? Has the crisis changed the social order and, if so, how? What are the new credentials for success? What were the old credentials? What does this say about our society in comparison to the society within the novel?

Essay Topic 2

There is a constant theme in the novel that even the best intentions can result in horrific results. Choose one example of this from the following list. Explain what happened in the situation, what the original intention was, why the result occurred, what could have been done to avoid the result, and whether or not the original intention was good, despite the results.

• Coker's kidnapping of sighted individuals to care for the blind.

• Miss Durrant's solid Christian foundation for her community.

• The University Tower's choice to turn away Coker and his followers.

• The Emergency Council's forced communities.

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?

(see the answer keys)

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