Dry

Multiple Choice and Long Answer questions create ideal opportunities for whole-book review, unit exam, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. Which motif that will be developed throughout the novel is introduced early on by the differing experiences of Lyla Singh and the family trying to take a plane out of the dry zone?

A) Human creativity and intelligence can overcome nearly any disaster.

B) The desire to cooperate is an intrinsic part of human nature.

C) People who plan ahead are better off than those who do not.

D) Disaster often has a bigger impact on those who lack resources.

2. Which of the book’s motifs is most clearly revealed through the development of Kelton’s character throughout the novel?

A) Self-discipline is most important in those chosen to lead.

B) Not everyone who offers help has your best interests in mind.

C) There is a difference between having resources and being prepared.

D) Family is a person’s best resource during an emergency.

3. Which of the following characters is the most loyal to Alyssa throughout the novel?

A) Henry

B) Charity

C) Jacqui

D) Kelton

4. Which of the following characters most clearly fails to take the Tap-Out seriously enough at first?

A) Alyssa

B) Henry

C) Kelton

D) Garrett

5. Which of the following incidents most clearly demonstrates that people with resources can be targeted during an emergency?

A) The crowd’s behavior when the water truck arrives at the power plant.

B) The heavy military presence Alyssa sees outside the school.

C) Richard’s reaction to Jacqui when Kelton brings her home with him.

D) Alyssa’s neighbors’ behavior at the HOA meeting.

6. Which of the following is a key difference between Kelton and Richard McCracken?

A) Kelton does not really believe that the Tap-Out is a life-threatening situation.

B) Kelton is unwilling to use violence to protect people he cares about.

C) Kelton is willing to share resources with people outside the family.

D) Kelton does not really believe that it is important to prepare for emergencies.

7. What belief of Richard McCracken’s is most clearly contradicted by the experiences of Alyssa, Garrett, and Kelton during the Tap-Out?

A) Thinking ahead can sometimes save a person during a crisis.

B) Self-reliance is the most important resource a person can have.

C) Information is a valuable asset during an emergency.

D) Sometimes a person must be selfish in order to survive.

8. What message is conveyed about helping others through incidents like Alyssa’s attempt to help the old man at the beach and Jacqui’s decision to leave her antibiotics for Basil and Daphne?

A) It bolsters self-esteem.

B) It shows a lack of faith in others’ abilities.

C) It is always the right thing to do.

D) It may involve danger or self-sacrifice.

9. In which of these areas does Kelton mature the most over the course of the novel?

A) His understanding of Alyssa

B) His ability to follow through on his plans

C) His understanding of his parents

D) His ability to accept others’ feedback

10. In what way is Jacqui better prepared than Kelton, Garrett, and Alyssa to face the crisis of the Tap-Out?

A) Emotionally

B) Financially

C) Physically

D) Intellectually

11. Which of the following best characterizes the government’s response to the drought?

A) Unprepared and inadequate

B) Overly involved and controlling

C) Disengaged and unaware

D) Compassionate and effective

12. Which troubling aspect of disaster situations does the novel most clearly illustrate?

A) Private sector corruption and profiteering

B) The potential for sexual violence against women

C) Armed conflicts between regions over scarce resources

D) The potential rise of authoritarian leaders

13. Which character’s actions and personality most sharply contrast with Charity’s?

A) Alyssa’s

B) Jacqui’s

C) Henry’s

D) Kelton’s

14. Which major character does not narrate any of the chapters until Part 5?

A) Alyssa

B) Jacqui

C) Kelton

D) Garrett

15. What do characters in the novel frequently compare other people to?

A) Machines

B) Animals

C) Buildings

D) Books

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating text details to support your response.

1. How does the novel associate movement toward a goal with hope?

2. What is ironic about the two different forms of sickness that threaten characters in this novel?