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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 was the most noticeable thing about the man after he walks back to his cart?

2. How does Ann feel about the man being there as she gets ready to sleep that night?

3. What is the man wearing who arrives in Ann's sight?

4. What does Ann hope?

5. What bothers Ann about the man and her chickens?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Ann become inspired to make a salad?

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

4. What does Ann hear Loomis saying in his dreams and what does Ann think about what she hears?

5. What does Ann decide to do as the stranger draws closer?

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

7. Why is Mr. Loomis at Burden Creek when Ann returns from picking greens, and how does he think the Creek can be used?

8. What does the man in the suit do when he finally arrives at Ann's house?

9. What does Loomis say about his activities the night the war breaks out?

10. Why does Ann decide to go down to the farm yard and what does she discover?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ann makes the decision to observe the man who has decided to bathe in Burden Creek, which Ann knows is dead and probably poisoned either with radioactivity or some other by-product of the war. Discuss the following:

1. Does Ann make a wise decision to still not show herself when the man is entering the water?

2. Is Ann's decision not to run down and stop the man a lack of compassion? Kindness?

3. Would you have made the same decision that Ann makes? Why or why not?

4. Do you think Loomis is justified in being angry with Ann when he learns that she watched him enter the dangerous water and did nothing? Is he angry? Discuss the psychological/emotional dynamics of the situation.

5. Was Ann responsible for warning Loomis even if it reveals her presence? Do you have a responsibility to warn someone if you observe them doing something that could injure or kill them? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. Do you think Ann is wise to leave the valley? Do you think the implication is that her dream of teaching children is prophetic and that she will find others? Why or why not?

2. Would you have chosen the same route as Ann, i.e., leaving the valley. Why or why not?

3. How well do you think Ann will survive journeying out into a dangerous world?

4. Do you think Mr. Loomis redeems himself by pointing Ann in a likely direction to begin her journey? Give an in depth response.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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