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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. James and Cherryl begin their unlikely romance. Where does James meet her?
(a) In a dime store.
(b) Friends introduce them.
(c) At a cocktail party.
(d) At the train station.

2. What is Rearden's suggestion to Dagny about giving in to the state?
(a) They must hold out as long as they can before complying with the State.
(b) They must find ways to compromise with the State.
(c) They must destroy their businesses before they let that happen.
(d) They must find John Galt.

3. What is the purpose of the party Lillian plans to give in three months?
(a) A celebration of Rearden metal.
(b) Their social obligation to Dagny Taggart.
(c) Their wedding anniversary.
(d) A fund raiser for underprivileged children.

4. What is the meaning of "Wyatt's torch"?
(a) Wyatt's threat to destroy the economy by setting fire to Washington.
(b) Wyatt's new flashlight invention.
(c) What is left after Wyatt's destruction of his oil fields.
(d) Wyatt's lighting after his electricity has been shut off.

5. What is the cryptic question that sets the mood of suspense in ATLAS SHRUGGED?
(a) Where have all the flowers gone?
(b) Who is John Galt?
(c) Where in the world is Dagny Taggert?
(d) What happened to New York City?

Short Answer Questions

1. What caused Francisco's ancestor out of Spain to Argentina where he became wealthy as a copper miner?

2. What is Ayn Rand's objection to majority rule as put forth by the National Alliance of Railroads?

3. What is "the chain"?

4. Based on what she knows at the moment, what conclusion does Dagny draw about the disappearance of men like Wyatt?

5. What decision does Dagny make when she is nine years old?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe how the chain is viewed by Henry Rearden, Lillian Rearden, and Dagny Taggart. Explain its significance to the story.

2. When Cherryl confronts Dagny and says that she is now Mrs. Taggart, the woman of the family, Dagny replies, "That's quite all right. I'm the man." Explain what she means by that comment.

3. Francisco engineers a huge financial fraud on the Mexican government and greedy shareholders like James Taggart and Orren Boyle. Then he asks Dagny, "Who is John Galt?" How does Rand use his character to build suspense?

4. How does the scene of the broken furnace give Hank insight into Francisco's real character?

5. Discuss the significance of the turnout of Taggart employees and the armed guards every mile along the initial John Galt Line train.

6. Briefly explain Dr. Stadler's surprise that the motor Dagny found was being developed in a remote automobile factory.

7. Dagny sees Hank Rearden as a "man who belongs on earth." Explain why.

8. In the chapter Rand calls "Account Overdrawn," how does the author picture the results of the socialist government's regulations?

9. How does the Twentieth Century Motor Company demonstrate the results of the communistic idea of "from each according to his ability, to each according to his need"?

10. Write a few paragraphs on why Hank Rearden does not mind supporting his idle family but refuses to give Phillip a job he is not qualified to handle.

(see the answer keys)

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