View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Lydia hear that George does not?

2. Who says: “My God we need a breath of fresh air”?

3. Who does the wife want the husband to call, and for what reason?

4. When Lydia sits down in the chair, what does it do?

5. Who is the author of The Veldt?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does George’s reaction to Lydia’s fear signify?

2. What does Lydia believe the lions have just been doing? How does she know this?

3. Why does George feel perspiration on his brown when he is in the nursery?

4. Why does Lydia “bolt and run”?

5. Explain how the nursery conjures the African veldt.

6. George says that his children treat him as if he were the offspring. Provide examples of this sentiment from the text.

7. How does Peter accidentally confess that they have, in fact, been conjuring Africa?

8. Why is George hesitant to lock up the nursery? What does he fear?

9. What do the vultures in the African veldt scene indicate?

10. Why does George laugh at Lydia once she runs out of the nursery?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Bradbury’s work often makes a political statement about the future of our society.

Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Ray Bradbury. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Bradbury's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Bradbury's probable agenda concerning that idea.

Essay Topic 2

Often readers identify with the protagonist, by putting themselves in the character’s situation and wondering what they would do.

Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not? Socrates said, "Know thyself." How can reading a short story such at The Veldt help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and relationships to others and to technology when reading The Veldt? Why or why not? Discuss one character with whom you identify and why you feel that way. Use examples from The Veldt and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Examine the final scene in The Veldt. David McClean walks into the nursery where the children are sitting having a picnic lunch watching the lions feed.

What are the lions eating? Why is their behavior disturbing? What is significant about Wendy offering Dr.McClean a cup of tea? What does their behavior suggest about this society, or future society?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 797 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample