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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Osbourne say about the world?
(a) it will collapse from carbon pollutions
(b) it will go on, there just won't be people
(c) it will disintegrate slowly
(d) it will become a vast desert planet like Mars

2. Why does the USS Swordfish leave Rio for Montevideo?
(a) they think some people are alive in Montevideo
(b) radiation has not reached Montevideo
(c) they need a change of scenery
(d) radiation gets too hot in Rio

3. What does Peter instruct Mary how to do if he is not back when the radiation hits?
(a) eat only what they grew in their garden
(b) head south where he will find her
(c) stay in the house with the doors and windows closed
(d) kill the baby and herself

4. What happens that night at Peter's and Mary's house?
(a) Dwight gets drunk and has to be put to bed
(b) Dwight and Moira fall in love
(c) Moira and Dwight have a huge argument
(d) Moira gets drunk and has to be put to bed

5. Why does the USS Swordfish not come to Australia?
(a) its fuel reactor is broken
(b) it has a leak in the hull and connot submerge
(c) it is carrying a deadly disease
(d) it got contaminated while not submerged

Short Answer Questions

1. What sober reflection to the men on the Scorpion have about Cairns, Moresby or Darwin?

2. In Australia, what do they figure will go a little before Sydney?

3. Who do Peter and John meet at the Pastoral Club in Melbourne?

4. For how long did the Russians and Chinese figure nuclear bombs would render land uninhabitable?

5. How long does Peter say the next trip of the Scorpion will probably take?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the story begin?

2. How does Shute explain the proliferation of atomic weapons?

3. What is the consensus about which countries actually started the war?

4. How has the war simplified life in Australia to a large extent?

5. Explain Moira's answer that she will face the facts of life next September.

6. Tell what is known about the global nuclear war.

7. What is Dwight's experience in church the weekend he spends with Peter and Mary?

8. What does it mean that the people had all died tidily?

9. Why have people grown accustomed to the radiation coming their way and just go about their regular business?

10. Describe Moira's attitude toward life.

(see the answer keys)

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