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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 does Loomis get supplies while Ann is hiding out before he shot her?

2. Why does Ann accidentally hit Mr. Loomis in the face?

3. What does Ann count at Mr. Loomis' bedside?

4. How does Ann know how to change the sheets with someone in the bed?

5. How does Ann know Mr. Loomis is doing better at the opening of Chapter 13?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. Why does Mr. Loomis become angry and what does Ann decide to do?

5. Where does Ann go in Chapter 12 and what does she find and do?

6. How is Mr. Loomis using Faro?

7. What do Loomis and Ann discuss concerning the fertilizer?

8. Why does Ann think she can return to the fields to work and why does Loomis yell at her?

9. What does Mr. Loomis say he remembers while delirious?

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

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

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 3

Z for Zachariah could be said to be a "bildungsroman" of Ann, the main character. Discuss the following:

1. Define the concepts "bildungsroman" and "coming of age."

2. Thoroughly trace and analyze Z for Zachariah as a bildungsroman of Ann. Give specific examples. What does Ann learn? How has she changed? Is the change for the better?

3. Do you think young people in our modern culture go through a coming of age period? Do you think the concept of "coming of age" is inherent in the human experience? Why or why not?

4. Do you think you have lived through a "coming of age" period in your own life? Discuss as thoroughly as you willing to share.

(see the answer keys)

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