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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. Tomorrow's Child" is set in which year?

2. Where does the story take place?

3. What is the name of the man found murdered n the story "And So Died Riabouchinska?"

4. Where does the man go on his final vacation?

5. What is the name of the marionette used in the story?

Short Essay Questions

1. Discuss the plot of n "The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit." Who is involved? What do the people learn?

2. In "The Happiness Machine" Leo Auffmann invents a happiness machine. Describe the machine and was it does for the users. Also examine the opinion of Mrs. Auffmann.

3. What is the reaction of the people when a girl talks about a woman being buried alive in "The Screaming Woman?"

4. In "The Day It Rained Forever" three friends complain at the severe heat while waiting for a specific event to occur. What is the event? When is it due to occur?

5. In "The Better Part of Wisdom" what does the grandfather decide to do when he learns he is on death's door?

6. Explain the difference between the two men at the beach in "The Shoreline at Sunset."

7. What is the main issue facing Carrie in "The Strawberry Window?" What is the resolution?

8. In "The Terrible Conflagration up at the Place" a group of people decide to burn the lord's home as a sign of political protest. Why is the plan to burn the lord's home discarded?

9. Describe the plot in "A Story of Love."

10. Who uses "The Black Ferris" as a means of manipulation? How and why is this feat enacted?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Bradbury uses several characters in more than one story. For example, Uncle Einar appears in two stories, as does Ceci/Cecy. Why does Bradbury do it? Do the repeated references help with the characterization? Do you think Bradbury simply ran out of ideas for characters? Do you like repetitive characters in the stories? Choose one of the characters and write a second short story based on the previous tale.

Essay Topic 2

It is common for groups of people to stick together, particularly if they feel threatened by outsiders. As a result, many act out due to mob mentality. Examine the concept of mob mentality. What is mob mentality? Is it positive or negative? How did mob mentality play a role in the story? Have you ever experienced mob mentality? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Bradbury tends to use the emotion of fear in many of his stories. Why? How does fear challenge a person? How does fear change the way a person acts and thinks? Do the aliens in the stories always play on a person's fear? Do people tend to make situations worse when they act through fear? Explain. Give specific examples from the text.

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