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. What is the name of the family that emigrated to Mars?

2. What word is used to describe the act of raising someone from a grave?

3. What childhood game is played in "Gotcha!?"

4. Who becomes suspicious of the mushrooms being grown in "Boys! Raise Giant Mushrooms in Your Cellar?"

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. In the story "The Aqueduct" how does a third party benefit from a war between two other nations?

3. Why is Joseph resentful toward Marie in "Interval in Sunlight?"

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

5. Discuss the life span of the characters in "Frost and Fire" and why it is unusual.

6. Explain why the actions of the boy in "Have I Got a Chocolate Bar for You!" may seem odd to a bystander.

7. What is the plan put into motion by Doug in "The Utterly Perfect Murder?" What is the outcome?

8. In "The October Game" what is the relationship between Mich and Louise Wilder? What Actions does Mich take to hurt his wife?

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

10. In "The Best of All Possible Worlds," two men meet on a commuter train.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

It is clear that Bradbury is fascinated by death and corpses. Discuss why you think Bradbury has this fascination and how it is most often used in the stories? Are there metaphors in any other stories that also represent death? Is Bradbury more fascinated with the actual dying or the after life? Why do you think the Screaming Woman was permitted to survive? What other examples can you cite regarding this topic?

Essay Topic 2

Describe in detail the personification of aliens in the stories. Why does Bradbury feel it is important to give human (or non-human) qualities to the aliens? How are the aliens characterized and/or personified differently than the humans in the stories? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Write full and detailed character descriptions of five of Bradbury's main characters. Compare and contrast their personalities and how they react under pressure. How are they alike? What are the biggest differences?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 793 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample