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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. Who is arriving at the ranch?

2. What happens to Harry's truck?

3. What does Jellison hold as the need arises?

4. Who is arguing when Harvey wakes?

5. What do the boys and Gordie decide to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the difficult part about guard duty at the Jellison stronghold?

2. What does Al tell Harvey about Maureen?

3. What does Harvey do and how do his tactics work on delaying the Brotherhood?

4. What does Maureen struggle with when she is out inventorying supplies in the area?

5. What does one man who is scavenging with Deke say people are going to have to get used to, and do you think he is right?

6. How does Harvey convince Al that he is a valuable addition to the needs of the people in this area?

7. What is one of the purposes of the meeting to which Harvey has been summoned?

8. What convinces Jellison to admit Harvey and his group to the ranch and what is the implication?

9. What idea does Dan Forrester have to stop the New Brotherhood Army and does it seem plausible?

10. What are Maureen's thoughts about the prisoners from the Brotherhood and do you agree with her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Harry Newcombe, the mail carrier, decides to continue delivering his mail despite all that has occurred. Additionally, he self-appoints his role as message carrier to the area around the Jellison ranch. Discuss the following:

How does Harry's role provide some comic relief to the intensity of so much else that is happening?

Do you think Harry as a self-proclaimed messenger has an important role in the book? Why or why not.

Does Harry maintaining his mail schedule help to calm others? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

At the Jellison ranch, the Senator holds court to judge guilt in offenses and mete out punishment. There is no jury or trial, merely one man hearing the evidence and then deciding guilt and punishment. Discuss the following:

Considering the situation, do you think the method that they use for adjudicating crime is fair? Why or why not?

Do you think it is fair to sentence Bonar to almost-certain death by leaving the community for his crime of hoarding? Why or why not?

What would you have done about the Bonar situation, especially in light of the children, who are not responsible for their father's breaking of the rules?

Do they have to be more stringent about the rules in these circumstances? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Fred Lauren murders a woman named Coleen because he believes the end of the world is imminent and thus he no longer fears the threat of punishment by giving in to his insane urges. Discuss the following:

How strongly do you think that doomsday predictions influence those who are mentally unstable already? Give examples from the book and your personal knowledge. (Think about Y2K, Jonestown, etc.).

Do you think you would ever believe a doomsday prediction such as a comet hitting the earth? Why or why not?

Do you believe those who preach such messages should be held accountable for their actions if people who hear them do such things as Fred Lauren does? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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