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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 happens when Roark shows up uninvited at Dominique's door?

2. Francon and Toomey agree about architecture for what reason?

3. How do the newspapers treat Henry Cameron's retirement?

4. When Dominique offers to have her marriage to Peter annulled, what is Roark's reaction?

5. What did Toohey think was a "cosmic joke?"

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Both Dominique and Toohey want to destroy Roark's career. Contrast their reasons for wanting to do so.

3. Discuss Dominique's idea that beautiful things should not exist in the real world.

4. In what way does Mrs. Keating represent all the obstacles Roark will have to face to be true to himself?

5. Discuss the idea of "ownership" in the relationship between Dominique and Roark.

6. How do the conflicting passions of Roark and Dominique result in an act of violence?

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

8. 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?

9. Discuss how Rand accuses critics of distorting reality when Peter finally meets Toohey.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay that explains the fall of Peter Keating and the reasons for that fall.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay contrasting the characters of Dominique and Katie. Explain how Dominique represents the Independent thinker and Katie represents the Dependent thinker.

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.

(see the answer keys)

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