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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. Where does Ann go the next morning after Loomis was delirious?

2. Why does Ann decide to kill one of the older hens?

3. What does Ann think about Loomis and Edward?

4. Why does Ann go to the farm the morning after Loomis searched for Ann in the store apartment?

5. Why does Ann think she needs to go back to the house?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Mr. Loomis express his anger and what does Ann do?

2. What does Ann discover about the tractor, and what does she do?

3. How has Mr. Loomis' illness progressed in Chapter 11, and what does he talk about while delirious?

4. What routine do Ann and Mr. Loomis follow for the next ten days?

5. What does Mr. Loomis say he remembers while delirious?

6. What does Ann finally piece together about Edward and Loomis?

7. What does Ann observe the next day as she is watching the house and what does she think about?

8. What do Loomis and Ann discuss concerning the fertilizer?

9. Why does Mr. Loomis use the tractor to go to the store?

10. Why does Mr. Loomis frighten Ann as she is playing the piano?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In most fiction, readers would like all the loose ends to be neatly "tied up." Discuss the following:

1. Do you think Z for Zachariah is successful as an apocalyptic novel? Why or why not?

2. What about this book would motivate you to read another apocalyptic novel? What would discourage you from doing so?

3. Were all the "loose ends" satisfactorily settled for you? Why or why not?

4. Do you think that a reader expects that not all loose ends are tied up in a book in a series, unless it's the last book?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Define irony in literary terms. What do you think is the purpose of irony? Discuss the irony of the situation that it appears the man could die from his radiation poisoning in a "safe" valley when he has avoided the same thing while walking through hundreds of miles of dangerous country. What other irony occurs in Z for Zachariah? Discuss two or three incidences of irony and whether they enhance your reading experience.

2. Define symbolism in literary terms. Discuss the use and meaning of five symbols you choose to analyze from Z for Zachariah. What do they symbolize? Is the symbolism obvious? Effective? Does the symbolism contribute to the enjoyment of reading?

3. Trace and analyze the use of foreshadowing throughout Z for Zachariah. List at least five things that occur later in the novel that are foreshadowed earlier in the novel. Does foreshadowing increase your motivation to complete a book? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Ann and Loomis when they first meet. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? How do they compare as to the way they are raised before being chosen? Do you think they are both good people? Why or why not. Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Ann from the beginning of the book to the end. How has she stayed the same? How has she changed? Have the changes been positive? What do you think Ann needs to change about herself to survive her journey?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in Z for Zacharia help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Some secondary "characters" to consider are Faro, Radiation, The Valley, and The War.

(see the answer keys)

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