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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 the elderly man Bill sees in the beginning of Chapter Four carry?

2. What does Umberto Christofoto Palanguez bring to the Arctic & European Fish Oil Company?

3. Where did Bill first see a triffid?

4. Why does Josella wear such extravagant clothing the first evening Bill and she are together?

5. Who does Bill meet first in Chapter Three?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain the argument of Beadley that the world is better off after the comet than it was before.

2. Describe the scene where the narrator first learns of the blindness that plagues mankind.

3. Describe the argument between the sighted leader of the blind at the gates of University Tower and the sighted leaders of the sighted colony at the university.

4. Following the witness of a couple committing suicide, Bill admits to himself that he must 'grow a hide'. Explain his meaning.

5. Describe the circumstances that resulted in Bill's hospitalization.

6. What is revealed about the new use for sighted children and blind women in Chapter Three?

7. Explain why the Colonel and the others want to leave London?

8. What clues does the narrator have that there is something wrong when he wakes in the hospital?

9. What is happening to society at the beginning of Chapter Four, and why?

10. Explain what the landlord at the end of chapter 1 plans on doing, and how.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the book, many of the characters appear to come from the upper class, such as Josella, while others, such as Coker, seem to come from a more meager background. How do you think this separation of class affects the different societies that emerge within the novel? Do you think social class has any bearing in this new world? If so, what? If not, what does have bearing? Do the leaders of the communities appear to be of a certain social class? Has the crisis changed the social order and, if so, how? What are the new credentials for success? What were the old credentials? What does this say about our society in comparison to the society within the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Some would argue that the ending of the novel is a message to civilization about the dangers of the future, in that mankind, in the book, is doomed to live on a small island while attempts are made continuously to end the existence of man. On the other hand, some would argue that the ending of the novel is hopeful, in that mankind is left to rebuild itself, possibly in a more coherent and non-violent way. Which opinion do you agree with? Why? What is the overall message of the entire story? Do you think Wyndham's view of his own civilization is positive or negative? Why? Do you think this book was meant as a warning or as a message of hope? Be sure to use examples from the novel to support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

Light is used as a metaphor for hope, freedom, and security throughout the novel. In what ways does the author use this metaphor? How does he show what this symbol stands for? Choose one instance of the use of light as a symbol. Explain the situation. What are the characters doing? How is the symbol used? What is light symbolizing? Why did the author choose light as this symbol?

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