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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 make that turns out perfect?

2. What does Ann think about Loomis and Edward?

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

4. With what does Ann fertilize the garden?

5. Where does Loomis shoot Ann?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does Ann observe the next day as she is watching the house and what does she think about?

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

5. What does Ann finally piece together about Edward and Loomis?

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

7. How has Mr. Loomis' illness progressed in Chapter 11, and what does he talk about while delirious?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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