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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 does Eileen do to give them a better driving experience?

2. What kind of information does the mail carrier bring Senator Jellison?

3. What does Harvey say about the amount of food allotted to them?

4. Who summons Harvey to a meeting?

5. What has been erected around the Jellison property?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the Reverend Armitage contribute to the unsavory things Alim and Hooker's group are already doing?

2. How does Harvey help Maureen resolve her inner conflict?

3. What decision does Jellison make about Bonar and do you agree with his decision?

4. Discuss Maureen's conversation with the Reverend Varley and her response to it.

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

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

7. What does Jackie say is ironic about the situation of the blacks since the comet strike?

8. How does Tim and his group get admitted to the ranch?

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

10. What are a couple cultural changes that have happened with the comet strike?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are a large number of people sharing living quarters, and many are unrelated adults such as the house where Harvey, Tim, Eileen, Mark, Joanna and the four Wagoners live on the Jellison compound. Discuss the following:

How difficult do you think it would be to live with a group of people you barely know? Discuss.

What are some things a group of such people as mentioned above can do to help keep things going smoothly?

In your opinion, what would be the most difficult aspect of such a living arrangement?

Essay Topic 2

As Joanna listens to Mark and Frank, she's increasingly annoyed that Mark continually interrupts Frank with opinions of his own regarding what other catastrophes could cause the end of the world. Frank had originally been undecided whether to accompany the couple, but had gone because he felt Mark incapable of protecting Joanna and Joanna overly confident that she could protect herself. This book is set in the time in which it is written, the mid-1970s. Choose one of the following to discuss:

Discuss three predominant characteristics of 2 of the major female characters in the book. Do you think these women would be portrayed in a similar fashion in a book written today?

Do women still "need" protecting by men? If such a catastrophe happened in the first decade of the 21st century, would women have a different role than in this book?

Some of the fights take place because there are not enough women to "go around." Discuss this idea and its implications.

Essay Topic 3

While Tim and Eileen are going through a rather intense experience of escaping to the Jellison ranch, they are stopped for a while at a collapsed bridge. Despite their situation and the emotional trauma, Tim wants to make love. Discuss the following:

Why is it about humans that they can adapt to the most horrific situations and in the midst of such carry on such mundane tasks as eating, making love, or even play (especially children)?

Do you think Tim is unusual in his ability to put aside all the stress of the moment and just do something that is "normal"?

Is it a sign of health or mental disease that Tim (or anyone) can momentarily block out the external circumstances and do something that is not required at the moment for survival--something that for the most part is intended to provide pleasure?

(see the answer keys)

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