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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 can Kivrin and Fr. Roche afford to travel?

2. Who is filling in for one of the bell ringers?

3. Who does Rosemund trust about the marriage?

4. What does Kirvin list in her Doomsday Book?

5. What does Kivrin make Fr. Roche do as he comes to give the clerk last rites?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the situation with the steward and digging graves?

2. What does Dunworthy learn about various flu victims after he regains consciousness?

3. What happens as Kivrin prepares to travel to Scotland with Fr. Roche and Rosemund?

4. What does Kivrin write in her Doomsday Book about various victims?

5. Describe the discussion between Badri and Dunworthy about Kirvin's time travel.

6. Who is the next victim to fall ill and how does Kirvin discover it?

7. What does Kivrin say about the rest of the family?

8. Why does Kivrin take Agnes to Father Roche and what is the outcome?

9. What about the virus situation in modern times concerns Dunworthy?

10. What happens to the envoy and what does Kirvin realize as a result?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Dunworthy's mind is constantly on Kivrin, and he continues to reassure himself that she's capable of handling whatever situation arises. He recalls his own test trip through the net to a period just thirty years in the past from that time. There'd been a young man there who pulled offered directions to reach the destination, which he'd got to with time to spare. Dunworthy tells himself that there are young men with a map and a piece of advice in every time period. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think based upon Dunworthy's own first time travel experience which is only 30 years in the past, that Dunworthy is logical in thinking that there will be someone in 1348 to help Kivrin get to where she needs to be?

2. If one assumes that Gawyn is Kivrin's "young man," analyze how helpful he in helping Kivrin find her pick up site. Cite specific examples.

3. Is Dunworthy correct in his reasoning about Kivrin? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

There are some interesting parallels between the action in 2054 and that going on with Kivrin in 1348. Two most obvious that come to mind are they are both suffering an epidemic and bell ringers figure prominently in both times. Discuss the following:

1. Trace, compare and analyze throughout Doomsday Book the similarities between what is happening in 2054 and 1348.

2. Why do you think Willis sets up this mirror-like plot?

3. Do you think it is an effective literary strategy? Why or why not?

4. What similar themes are evident in each time frame?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of manipulation and power in Doomsday Book. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with manipulation and power? Why? What are some symbols of manipulation and power? Symbols of powerlessness? What characters seem powerless?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of hypocrisy in Doomsday Book. Which characters seem hypocritical? Why? Which characters seem sincere? Why? Which ones seem not to care about looking good to others? What is the difference between how the two types live?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of death. Compare/contrast how the people of 1348 view death to the views of those in 2054. Which is most like your own view of death? Who seems afraid of dying? Not afraid? Who meets death gracefully? In resignation? With joy? With fear?

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