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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 do the morning after leaving the house during the night?

2. What is Mr. Loomis designing as he recovers?

3. What does Ann discover when she goes to start the tractor?

4. Why does Ann go to the farm the morning after Loomis searched for Ann in the store apartment?

5. What does Ann do with Loomis' gun?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Ann and Mr. Loomis argue about concerning the crops?

2. What does Ann ask Mr. Loomis to use and what is his response?

3. Why does Ann decide to ask Mr. Loomis questions and what happens as a result?

4. Why does Ann have to abandon her cave and what does Mr. Loomis do there?

5. What happens in the middle of the night that convinces Ann to move out of the house?

6. How is Ann at first amused by Mr. Loomis' actions but then becomes concerned?

7. What puzzles Ann when she is reading poetry to Mr. Loomis?

8. What routine do Ann and Mr. Loomis follow for the next ten days?

9. Why does Mr. Loomis frighten Ann as she is playing the piano?

10. What does Ann bring into the house as Mr. Loomis is getting better?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

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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