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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. Besides the suicide pills and syringe, what does Peter bring home?

2. What does John Osbourne tell Dwight?

3. What amenity is given to Dwight?

4. Although Mary begins to understand, what does she continue to do?

5. Where does the crew of the Scorpion see Swain?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does John say the sickness goes near the end?

2. How is Moira changing from thinking planting plants for the next year is a silly waste of time?

3. What has Moira managed to locate that makes Dwight happy enough to drift off to sleep?

4. How does Mary put out of her mind that Sydney and Adelaide now have the radiation sickness?

5. What is the understanding between Dwight and Moira that is verbalized on their fishing trip?

6. Explain the surprise Moira has for Dwight when they meet for lunch.

7. Why does John say his uncle, Sir Froude, still appears to be healthy?

8. Explain Dwight's change of status on the return trip from the north.

9. What does Lt. Sunderstrom do before shutting down the communications center at the Naval Base at Elliott Bay.

10. Why is Dwight upset over a painting at the National Gallery?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay on the possibility of the same world-wide destruction of all life on the planet could ever really happen. In your essay include the fact that today, just as Shute predicted, small radical nations now have nuclear capability. What is the danger of everything going too far when split second decisions have to be made about using the nuclear arsenal.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay on suicide as a way of avoiding an otherwise very painful death. Include the moral aspects of suicide in general and explain whether or not you think there may be extenuating circumstances that make suicide acceptable.

Essay Topic 3

Write a critique of Nevil Shute's ON THE BEACH. Evaluate Shute as a story teller and how well he holds the attention of the reader. Also evaluate the importance of the subject matter and whether it contributes a good message to the world. Mention the parts you think are strongest and weakest in the book. Conclude with a recommendation as to who would most benefit from reading the novel.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 660 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample