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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 Mr. Aitch ask Makina to deliver to Mr. P.?

2. How does Makina say the people in the anglogaggle react to the machines at the self-checkout?

3. Why does Makina pack light?

4. Where does Makina meet Mr. Aitch?

5. What does Makina think the folding chairs look like, at the stadium?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Makina’s trip through the mountains like?

2. What does Makina need to do to get access to Mr. Double-U and Mr. Aitch?

3. What danger does Makina face in making her trip?

4. What does Makina have to establish in her meetings with each of the three top dogs?

5. Why does Cora send Makina to talk to the top dogs?

6. What is Makina’s impression of the people she sees in the city?

7. What does Makina think is killing her when the novel opens?

8. What is Makina’s river crossing like?

9. What slang does Makina use, and what is its effect?

10. Who is Makina?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an evaluative review of Signs Preceding the End of the World. What is this book’s place in culture? What are its uses? What are its limitations?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze the title of Signs Preceding the End of the World as a map to the experiences contained in the book. What is the ‘end of the world,’ in Makina’s experience? What are the ‘signs’ that preceded it? How does the ambiguity or playfulness in the title affect your experience reading the book?

Essay Topic 3

Evaluate your own reading of Signs Preceding the End of the World—did you resist it, or were you compelled by the story? What does your reading tell you about yourself and your interests? Use specific examples from the book to describe yourself as a reader.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 799 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample