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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 happened to the Sanford house after it was completed?

2. Why does Francon contact Roark on the design of a new building?

3. How is Dominique disappointed in her relationship with Roark?

4. How was Roark able to reopen his architecture business?

5. What spoils Peter's joy at winning the "most beautiful building" contest?

Short Essay Questions

1. At the beginning of the novel, Howard Roark stands naked on a granite cliff preparing to dive into the waves below. Describe how this scene sets the stage for the entire novel.

2. Discuss the irony of Peter going to Roark for help with his Cosmo-Slotnik competition design.

3. As Cameron becomes ill and gives up, Roark continues to think for himself. At the same time, Ellsworth Toohey is gaining a larger following for his idea of collectivity versus individualism. How does this foreshadow the struggles that Roark will face?

4. Explain why Toohey supports the striking builders and how it fits in with his socialistic ideas.

5. Considering the number of jobs Roark did not get or turned down, explain the difference between Roark and Peter Keating.

6. What is meant by the description of the Stoddard temple as being "like a corpse hacked to pieces and reassembled?"

7. Describe the character flaws in Peter Keating in regard to both Heyer's death and his winning the Cosmo-Slotnik competition.

8. In 1892, Henry Cameron was the most promising architect of his day, having introduced the idea of the skyscraper. One year later, the popular classical designs of the Columbian Exposition of Chicago ruined Cameron's career. How does Ayn Rand use this to introduce the ideas of individualism versus socialistic dogma?

9. Peter's lack of integrity comes to light in his efforts to get Claude Stengel's job. How does the method he uses to accomplish his purpose relate to the theme of the book?

10. When Roark refuses to design a building according to Francon's specifications, he is fired. When he goes to see Gordon Prescott who wrote an article about giving young architects a chance, he is rebuffed. How do these events help to develop the theme of integrity?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Kiki Holcombe is a follower, but not like the people Ellsworth Toohey controls. Kiki is shallow and only interested in social status. Write an essay expressing your feelings about social climbing and insincerity.

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the novel, Rand tells us that Howard Roark laughs. Write an essay about his laughter and what it tells you about his character.

Essay Topic 3

Collect a list of similes Rand uses in the novel. For example, in Part 3 Chapter 5, she writes, "[Keating] wondered whether his feet had left footprints on the carpet like the leaded feet of a deep sea diver." Write your opinion of how well you think Rand uses these similes to make the picture she is describing clearer.

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