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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. How long was spent reconstructing the Great Library of Alexandria in the novel?

2. Which of the following is served at the Terranova Thanksgiving meal?

3. In which of the following cities does Anastasia perform a gleaning as part of the plan to trap her assailants?

4. What is Anastasia’s younger brother named?

5. How many sisters does Greyson have?

Short Essay Questions

1. At first glance, the term “deadish” that appears throughout the novel might seem to be a euphemism; the “ish” suffix tends to be one that mitigates the effect or impact of the stem word to which it is attached. Why, however, is it NOT an example of euphemism?

2. What possibilities for maintaining Earth’s human population count does the Thunderhead foresee, and why are they problems?

3. Xenocrates, “the most important scythe in the region,” notes that he “enjoyed the robe—except on the occasions that its weight became an issue” (19). While he remarks on an example relating to swimming in the note, there is a symbolic meaning to the comment. What is it, and how does it appear?

4. Anastasia notes that the site of the Mortality Memorial is “a city underserved by the scythedom” because it “was too macabre for them” and “in very poor taste” (45). Why would scythes, whose work is in killing people, find celebrations of death macabre and in poor taste, per the novel?

5. What reasons does Scythe Curie give for taking an excursion to Endura when Anastasia is excused from gleaning?

6. What reasons does Scythe Constantine give for the scythedom’s efforts to protect Anastasia when she is excused from gleaning?

7. The novel notes Rowan’s work “while others prepared for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday” (53), as well as marking other holidays throughout the year (Christmas is mentioned, among others). What does the denotation of what holidays are celebrated suggest about the culture of the narrative milieu?

8. The Thunderhead remarks that it hopes to “have the virtual shoulders of Atlas to bear” what it describes as “very literally, the weight of the world” (167). There is an error in the phrasing; what is it, and why is it wrong?

9. Why is it irony, as the Thunderhead remarks, “that with no body, the world itself becomes [its] body” (75)?

10. Why does Munira carry the nickname among the library clerks that she does?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Thunderhead remarks that “although I do not require devotion, am I not deserving of it?” as it considers its status relative to the deities worshipped in its past (158). Based on the text leading up to the comment—the beginning of the novel through Chapter 15, “Hall of the Founders”—is the Thunderhead correct? How or how not, and to what extent?

Essay Topic 2

The Thunderhead notes that “increased wisdom and perspective on their lives” does not linger long in those who have died and been revived (87). Why might this be the case? What in the text and in experience tells you so? How does it do so?

Essay Topic 3

The Thunderhead notes, “To deny humanity the lesson of consequences would be a mistake” (489). Is the Thunderhead’s assessment accurate? What in the text and in experience suggests whether it is or not? How does it do so?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 965 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample