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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 supports Ann's theory about Loomis and Edward?

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

3. Why does Ann decide to kill one of the older hens?

4. What does Loomis demand about dinner?

5. What does Loomis do with Faro?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How does Mr. Loomis express his anger and what does Ann do?

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

5. How is Mr. Loomis using Faro?

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

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

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

9. Why does Mr. Loomis use the tractor to go to the store?

10. What does Ann discover about the tractor, and what does she do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Oftentimes, a book is more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not?

5. What type of plot do you think Z for Zachariah is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 2

Ann rises early and collects greens to make a salad with. As she picks, Ann imagines what it would be like to marry Mr. Loomis. The idea makes Ann happy because she likes the idea of having children of her own. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think it is sane to be thinking about bringing children into a world such as the one in which Ann now lives? Why or why not?

2. In many apocalyptic novels, women are forced to bear children in order to continue the human race. Do you think it is right to force all women of childbearing age to have children regardless of their own personal desires in a situation such as Ann's?

3. Why do you think that most apocalyptic novels have as one of their premises that it is important that the human race survive? Do you agree with this premise? Explain your answer.

4. Assuming there are other areas of the world where humans are unharmed and the environment is radiation free, then does it seem less important that the few people of the United States that may have survived bear children? Why or why not?

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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