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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 Ann observe as she sits in her cave at night?

2. What is Ann's first impulse when the man yells for anyone?

3. What intrigues the man as he is making breakfast?

4. Why does Ann begin recording the events of her day?

5. After four days, what does Loomis' temperature mean?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain why Ann is alone in the valley.

2. How does Mr. Loomis seem later that evening, and what does Ann give him?

3. What does the man do with his Geiger counter and then what terrible error does he make?

4. Why is the valley special?

5. Why doesn't Ann think the arriving stranger is in a car and what does she think about what he is bringing?

6. Why does Ann think someone is coming to her valley?

7. What happens that convinces Ann that the man knows nothing about farm life and what is her response?

8. Why concerns Ann about the approaching stranger?

9. Who is the stranger and what was his job before the war?

10. Explain why Ann's parents left her home when they left to discover the effects of the war?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Z for Zachariah belongs to the literary genre of apocalyptic fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly define the term genre and offer examples of it from your own reading experience. Why do you think it is useful to categorize fiction into genres? What could be a disadvantage of doing so?

2. What do you think is the main motivation for a person to read an apocalyptic novel? Is entertainment a good enough reason? Are there any other reasons to read this genre? What? Explain fully.

3. In "academe," apocalyptic novels are often thought of as less literary than some other genres and for that reason are sometimes "snubbed" in the study of literature. Why do you think this is so? Do you agree with this "snobbery"?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of Z for Zachariah, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements (They may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. Discuss five literary devices that occur in Z for Zachariah and how they are used. Are they effective? Do they add or detract from the reading of the book? Why or why not. Some possible techniques: Allusion, connotation, denouement, dialogue, flashback, figurative language, motif, metaphor, narrator, point of view, simile, mood, and puns.

2. What do you think are the reasons students are encouraged to understand literary devices? Do you think an understanding of the structure of a work of fiction enhances the reading experience? Why or why not?

3. Do you think authors make a conscious effort to include literary devices into their writing? Discuss your answer. Do you think it would be difficult to consciously create metaphor, simile, puns, etc...? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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