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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 Dr. McClean say children prefer?

2. What does the wife want the husband to take a look at?

3. Who thinks Wendy changed the nursery from a veldt to a forest?

4. What does George offer David McClean?

5. How long will it take to make “good children out of bad”?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does George laugh at Lydia once she runs out of the nursery?

2. Why does George feel perspiration on his brown when he is in the nursery?

3. How does Lydia propose to change her feelings of worthlessness?

4. Before the African veldt, what did the children conjure in the nursery?

5. How does Peter threaten his father?

6. How do Wendy and Peter tell their parents that they will be late for dinner?

7. What does Lydia think is wrong with her life?

8. How does Peter accidentally confess that they have, in fact, been conjuring Africa?

9. Why do George and Lydia suppose that they cannot change the nursery?

10. What does Dr. McClean suggest that George do to the nursery?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze and discuss what you think are the characteristics of a successful novel or story and why The Veldt is or is not successful based on your criteria. Do you think the criteria for a successful story should be different if it is written for adults versus young adults?

Essay Topic 2

Often readers identify with the protagonist, by putting themselves in the character’s situation and wondering what they would do.

Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not? Socrates said, "Know thyself." How can reading a short story such at The Veldt help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and relationships to others and to technology when reading The Veldt? Why or why not? Discuss one character with whom you identify and why you feel that way. Use examples from The Veldt and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Bradbury’s work is commentary on his prediction of society projected forward from 1950.

Based on the central conflict of man versus machine and loss of human connection, describe the values of this society. Why must they live in a Happylife home? Why do George and Lydia believe that nothing is good enough for their children? What is suggested by the fact that they take sedatives to go to sleep at night?

(see the answer keys)

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