View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. At the party, James Taggart demands that Francisco explain why the San Sebastian mines are worthless. What is Francisco's ironic reply?

2. What is Dagny's amazing discovery at Twentieth Century Motors?

3. How does Rand show James Taggart's opportunism after the success of the John Galt Line?

4. What did the National Alliance of Railroads pass to eliminate competition?

5. Who offers to help Dagny solve the problem of the rotting wooden bridge on her Colorado line?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

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

3. Explain the symbolism of Lillian's taking Dagny's diamond bracelet in exchange for the Rearden Metal chain.

4. Explain the conflict within Francisco when he discovers that Rearden had ordered copper from his mines in Argentina.

5. Francisco d'Anconia, heir of the d'Anconia Copper Mining empire, has developed a reputation as a playboy and a dilettante. Itemize the events in his early years with Dagny and James Taggart that are contradictory to that image.

6. Using the example of the Anti-Dog-Eat-Dog rule, explain in a few paragraphs how eliminating competition by legislation destroys productivity.

7. At his trial, Hank Rearden refuses to give the government the "sanction of the victim." Explain what he means.

8. 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"?

9. Lillian demands the Rearden Metal bracelet back and threatens to tell everyone that Dagny is sleeping with her husband. What is the irony of that situation?

10. When an agreement is reached that closes the John Galt Line and the Rio Norte Line, what does Francisco mean when he asks Dagny if they had murdered John Galt?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay about the names of characters and businesses Ayn Rand uses in ATLAS SHRUGGED.

Essay Topic 2

In a short essay explain how Francisco goes about portraying himself as a worthless playboy. Use specific examples.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay on Project X and compare it to WMDs today.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,041 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample