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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. For what does Ann really long?

2. About what was Ann correct, much to Loomis' dismay?

3. Who is Dr. Kylmer?

4. What does Ann think about in a flashback to right after the war?

5. Of what is the man afraid?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Ann daydream about as she is picking salad greens?

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

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

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

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

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

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

10. What does Ann decide to do to make cooking easier in the house?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

As the novel progresses, Ann feels that Loomis is more and more controlling of their lives. Discuss the following:

1. Discuss and analyze two scenes when you think Loomis is being controlling. Is Ann right to be defensive?

2. How much of Loomis' controlling is based upon the fact that he is considerably older than Ann? Do you think it is a legitimate thing that he, being much more knowledgeable about many things, should make more of the decisions?

3. How much of Loomis' controlling is based upon the fact that he is a male? Do you think Loomis would be as controlling of another man as he is of Ann?

4. Do you think Ann's assessment of Loomis' mental health is accurate? Why or why not? Discuss fully with examples.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Define irony in literary terms. What do you think is the purpose of irony? Discuss the irony of the situation that it appears the man could die from his radiation poisoning in a "safe" valley when he has avoided the same thing while walking through hundreds of miles of dangerous country. What other irony occurs in Z for Zachariah? Discuss two or three incidences of irony and whether they enhance your reading experience.

2. Define symbolism in literary terms. Discuss the use and meaning of five symbols you choose to analyze from Z for Zachariah. What do they symbolize? Is the symbolism obvious? Effective? Does the symbolism contribute to the enjoyment of reading?

3. Trace and analyze the use of foreshadowing throughout Z for Zachariah. List at least five things that occur later in the novel that are foreshadowed earlier in the novel. Does foreshadowing increase your motivation to complete a book? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

When one reads any novel (or anything at all), one brings everything from one's own past and present to the novel and in how one responds to what s/he is reading. Discuss the following:

1. How influential do you think a reader's own emotions, education, ideas and experiences influence how the reader responds to a work of fiction?

2. What about your life do you think influences you in reading Z for Zachariah? How does it influence you?

3. Do you think there is only one interpretation for any book? Give a detailed discussion in your response.

4. Do you think fiction can precipitate change in a reader? Is the change usually temporary or long lasting? Discuss your response thoroughly.

(see the answer keys)

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