Earth Abides

Toward the end of the book, what question does Ish ask Jack that seems strange to the young man? (a) "Where is Ezra?" (b) "Do you remember Em?" (c) "What time is it?" (d) "Are you happy?"

"Are you happy?"

When Jack calls Ish by his name, what phrase does he say after it to show respect? (a) "As the ancestors say." (b) "As you yourself well know." (c) "Father of all." (d) "As the skies tell us."

"As you yourself well know."

At the end of Chapter Two, Ish makes a list of the reasons he will survive better than many of the people he meets. Why does Ish believe he is better prepared to survive? (a) He went through survival training in Wyoming. (b) He has always preferred to do things alone. (c) He was a boy scout. (d) He is physically stronger than most people.

(b) He has always preferred to do things alone.

2. When Ish heads to New York, what does he attach to the back of his car? (a) An American flag. (b) A trailer. (c) A boat. (d) A motorcycle.

A Motorcycle

What do George and Ezra argue about at the post-rock carving meeting? Where to travel A Refrigerator Who is the strongest Wasting matches

A Refrigerator

What does Ish make that catches the Tribe's interest in the Year 22? (a) A Bow and Arrows (b) Lemon Pie (c) A New Hammer (d) Wood carvings

A bow and arrows

What event affects the house of Ish's neighbor that Ish refuses to fix? (a) An electrical fire. (b) A clogged drain. (c) A severe storm. (d) Ish wrecking his car.

A clogged drain

What animal does Ish see running in the highway after the virus strikes? (a) A goat. (b) A coyote. (c) A mountain lion. (d) A horse.

A coyote.

While driving home from Black Creek, what does Ish see on the side of the road? (a) Two children, walking alone. (b) A blinking road sign. (c) A burning building. (d) A dead body

A dead body

In part one, who does Ish meet when he is loading up his station wagon for his cross-country trip? (a) An angry crowd. (b) A woman who asks to accompany him. (c) A crazy man. (d) A dog.

A dog

While cruising through town, what does Ish see on the flashing neon sign that he equates to the progress and downfall of civilization? Flashing hand of cards. A galloping horse The temperature A line of stars

A galloping horse

What animal does Ish see in his neighbor's yard that doesn't seem to belong there? (a) A sheep. (b) A horse. (c) A cow. (d) A goat.

A goat

While Ish is alone in his house and pondering civilization, what does he decide he will never be? (a) A murderer. (b) A god. (c) A leader. (d) A survivor.

A god

When returning from New York, what does Ish start carrying with him for protection after meeting a pack of dogs in his hometown? (a) A hand-held radio. (b) A firearm. (c) A baseball bat. (d) A loud bullhorn

A hand-held radio.

Why is Ish worried about Milt and Ann? (a) A harsh winter is coming. (b) There is a dangerous gang nearby. (c) Their water supply is low. (d) They don't know how to defend themselves.

A harsh winter is coming.

How does Ish first find out about the virus? A newspaper headline Handwritten note on a body A thief A crackling radio station

A newspaper headline

After Ish finds out Em is pregnant, what does he use to determine the end of the year? (a) A compass and a watch. (b) A dirty calendar. (c) A surveyor's transit. (d) A chronograph.

A surveyor's transit

What does Ish notice is peculiar about one of the towns he visits on his drive home from Black Creek? (a) People are hiding in the courthouse. (b) His car is making a strange noise. (c) All the people are gone. (d) An unfriendly, dirty man is yellilng at him.

All the people are gone.

What natural disaster occurs in Year Twenty? (a) A landslide. (b) A flood. (c) An earthquake. (d) A fire.

An earthquake

At the beginning of the novel, when Ish decides to drive over the bridge, what sight prevents him from going to the other city? (a) A fallen road sign. (b) A pile of bodies. (c) A massive fire. (d) An empty car

An empty car

What insects invade Ish's home while he is living alone? (a) Mosquitoes. (b) Bees. (c) Ants. (d) Flies.

Ants

When Ish, Ezra, George, and Em voted about Charlie, what was Ish's original vote (before he changed it)? (a) Tickle Fight (b) Imprisonment (c) Banishment (d) Death

Banishment

While exploring the city, Ish meets a drunkard. What is the man's name? (a) Asher. (b) Barlow. (c) Robert. (d) Ben.

Barlow.

Why do Em and Ish decide to keep Princess in the house during the infestation? (a) For protection. (b) Because of something that Ish finds. (c) Because they're afraid she will run away. (d) Because they have seen a strange man who won't speak with them.

Because of something that Ish finds.

Toward the end of the book, Jack explains to Ish that he likes his bow better than a rifle. Why is this? (a) Because rifles are for "old" people. (b) Because rifles are unreliable. (c) Because he doesn't understand rifles. (d) Because the bow is more fun.

Because rifles are unreliable.

At one point, Ish considers suicide, but there is one particular reason he decides not to kill himself. What gives Ish the will to live? (a) The fear of death. (b) Curiosity about his parents. (c) Being an observer. (d) The books he reads.

Being an observer.

What do the boys use for smashing in a door in the Year 22? (a) Hammer (b) Crowbar (c) Brick (d) Cans

Brick

What does Ish consider to be The Tribe's national sport? (a) Fishing (b) Bulldodging (c) Hunting (d) Scavenging

Bulldodging

In Year Five, the people create a "national pastime" out of avoiding what type of animal? (a) Bulls. (b) Dogs. (c) Hyenas. (d) Lions.

Bulls

How do Ish and Em decide to mark the years? (a) By keeping a diary. (b) By chiseling into a large rock. (c) By marking the object Ish carries with him (d) By painting the pole of a street sign outside their house.

By chiseling into a large rock.

What does Ish become obsessed with doing while the city is being overrun by a certain kind of animal? (a) Building defenses against the animals. (b) Killing as many of the animals as possible. (c) Calculating how many of this type of animal are in the city. (d) Domesticating the animals.

Calculating how many of this type of animal are in the city.

While Ish is traveling to New York, he kills an animal, eating its liver afterward. What kind of animal does Ish kill? (a) Goat. (b) Llama. (c) Dog. (d) Calf.

Calf

While driving back home after his cross-country trip, what animals does Ish notice have disappeared? (a) Chickens and ducks (b) Deer and elk (c) Cats and dogs. (d) Snakes and other reptiles.

Chickens and ducks

What was in the box the boys brought back from the expedition? (a) Corn seeds (b) Tomato seeds (c) Tobacco (d) Wheat grains

Corn seeds

What do the young men think is important for Ish to do before he dies? (a) Decide who receives the hammer. (b) Tell them his full name. (c) Point the way to the location of the Tribe. (d) Predict the future one last time.

Decide who receives the hammer.

What is The Tribe's primary mode of transportation in the Year 22? (a) Cars (b) Horses (c) Foot (d) Dog Teams

Dog Teams

When Ish is deciding who could lead the colony in the future, who is at "the bottom"? Maurine Em Evie Molly

Evie

When Ish is older, he looks up one day while sitting on the hill and realizes that something is different. What is it? (a) His son's wife has twins. (b) New houses have been built. (c) Josey is cooking him supper. (d) Ezra is gone.

Ezra is gone

What do Ish and the boys do to prepare for the expedition? (a) Prep a dog team (b) Map out a route (c) Fix a car (d) Gather food

Fix a car

While scavenging for food in his hometown, what item of food does Ish find to be inedible because of mice and weevils? (a) Salt. (b) Flour. (c) Sugar. (d) Fruit.

Flour

How does Ish find Em? (a) Following her through the streets. (b) Following a light. (c) Following a map. (d) Following a handwritten sign on a post.

Following a light

In part 3, here do the young men get the metal they use for arrowheads? (a) From coins. (b) Out of the rocks. (c) From old knives. (d) From tin cans.

From coins

What is the first subject that Ish tried to teach the children when he started school? (a) Algebra (b) Art (c) Geometry (d) Geography

Geometry

What did Joey do during his "summer for experiment"? (a) Get married (b) Get drunk (c) Start smoking (d) Kill a bull

Get drunk

In the Year 22, the Tribe decides to do which activity that Ish suggests? (a) Grow crops (b) Go on an Expedition (c) Move the Colony (d) Go Hunting

Go on an expedition

How did the Tribe kill Charlie? (a) Firing Squad (b) Hanging (c) With the Hammer (d) Lethal Injection

Hanging

When Ish drives to a certain building after finding out Em is pregnant, how does he manage to get inside? (a) He breaks in through a window. (b) He finds an open window. (c) He chops the door off its hinges. (d) He finds a door that was left ajar.

He breaks in through a window.

Why does Em move to Ish's house? (a) He lives in a safer area of the city. (b) Her house is too small for all of them. (c) He doesn't want to move his books. (d) He has a greater supply of food

He doesn't want to move his books.

Why does the Tribe laugh at Ish during the post-rock carving meeting? He gives a speech he gives every year He tries to teach them geometry He argues with George He tells the Tribe a funny story

He gives a speech he gives every year

What does Ish tell the children that backfires? (a) School is dismissed (b) He was an American (c) He was not a god (d) Joey was the chosen one

He was an American

What was the main catalyst for the Tribe getting rid of Charlie? (a) He had diseases (b) He was interested in Em (c) He was interested in Evie (d) He had a gun

He was interested in Evie

While driving through the Mojave desert, why does Ish stop his car in the middle? (a) The car overheats. (b) His friend wants out. (c) He becomes lost. (d) He feels ill.

His friend wants out.

What did Ish bring with him to confront Charlie? (a) A rifle (b) Ezra (c) George (d) His hammer

His hammer

What does Ish find when he arrives home after his trip to New York? (a) Someone has been in his home. (b) His note is untouched. (c) His door is broken. (d) His parents left him a note.

His note is untouched

In the beginning, how does Ish go about finding other people? (a) Shoots a pistol in the air. (b) Honks his car horn. (c) Waits at a grocery store. (d) Puts up a flag.

Honks his car horn.

At the beginning of the book, why doesn't Ish know about the virus? Ish is in a coma Ish is driving outside the city with his radio off Ish is in the country doing research Ish is camping on the beach and fishing

Ish is in the country doing research

When Ish is deciding who could lead the colony in the future, who does he determine is "the one"? George Joey Eza Jack

Joey

What makes Ish notice that he has created taboos for the Tribe? (a) Joey picking up Ish's hammer (b) The children bulldodging (c) Ezra's Victorian Penny (d) Labeling the library as sacred

Joey picking up Ish's hammer

After Ish meets the family in Arkansas, the author talks about the fall of mankind. Who does the writer say will truly be saddened by the death of man? (a) Housepets. (b) Lice. (c) Any remaining people. (d) Livestock.

Lice

While exploring the city, Ish finds a body hanging from a telephone pole. What does the sign say that is attached to the body? (a) Looter. (b) Murderer. (c) Stay away. (d) Beware of plague.

Looter

Where did the boys find Charlie? (a) Chicago (b) Albuquerque (c) Los Angeles (d) New York

Los Angeles

At the start of the novel, on his way back to the city, Ish breaks into a fine home. What does he do while he is there? Stays for several nights Listens to a voice on the radio Makes himself breakfast Empties the jewelry cabinet

Makes himself breakfast

What does Ish think Joey has? (a) Karma (b) Mana (c) Rizz (d) Powers

Mana

What is the name of Ish and Em's second child? (a) John. (b) Josey. (c) Mary. (d) Robert.

Mary

On his trip back to his hometown from the east coast, Ish has to drive a long way around something. What causes Ish to detour? (a) Massive wildfires. (b) A flooded road. (c) A broken bridge. (d) A man with a rifle.

Massive wildfired

What is the name of the city where Ish ends his trip to the east? (a) Chicago. (b) Atlanta. (c) Pittsburgh. (d) New York.

New York.

On his way back to town after his illness, what does Ish do when he reaches Johnson's? Looks in the window and leaves Steals from the register Talks to the attendant Pumps gas and leaves payment

Pumps gas and leaves payment

When Ish arrives in a certain city in the east, ending his trip to that side of the country, what impresses him the most about the city? (a) Quiet. (b) Filth. (c) Size of the city. (d) Destruction.

Quiet

During Ish's trip to New York, he meets a small family in Arkansas. What are they doing? (a) Traveling toward the coast. (b) Building a house. (c) Raising animals and crops. (d) Trying to start a car.

Raising animals and crops.

What type of animal begins to invade the city after Ish and Em find one another? (a) Rats (b) Birds. (c) Wild dogs. (d) Feral cats.

Rats

What can Joey do better than any of the other children? (a) Run. (b) Fight. (c) Draw. (d) Read.

Read

What does Em say Ish can do to help her with childbirth? (a) Find medicine. (b) Read books about it. (c) Stay away. (d) Provide hot water and clean sheets.

Read books about it.

Why does Ish worry about being with Em at first? (a) She seems to have mental problems. (b) She might have a hidden sickness. (c) She doesn't seem to like him, she just wants a companion. (d) She is older than he is.

She is older than he is

How does Em demonstrate to Ish that children are necessary? (a) She shows him old pictures of her family. (b) She shows him how hard it is to work the garden alone. (c) She digs the roots out of a rose bush. (d) She lights a match and blows it out.

She lights a match and blows it out.

What did Ish do after Em died, at Ezra's insistence? (a) Give him the hammer. (b) Take another wife. (c) Bring back books from the University. (d) Have the Tribe merge with another group.

Take another wife.

What does Em think of Princess? (a) That she is beautiful. (b) She can't stand her. (c) She wants to keep her for herself. (d) That she needs to stay somewhere else.

That she is beautiful.

While living alone, what book does Ish begin reading that makes him uneasy? (a) Huckleberry Finn. (b) Arabian Nights. (c) The Bible. (d) The Koran.

The Bible

. Who knew where the nearby streams and springs were? (a) Ish (b) The children (c) The women (d) Ezra

The Children

Out of all the people Ish finds at first, which of these is the most friendly? (a) The hermit. (b) The former lawyer. (c) The little girl. (d) The couple.

The Hermit

What do the older members of the community notice that they think "pushes back the darkness" a little? (a) The progress in building the village. (b) The birth of children. (c) The number of years everyone has survived.(d) The sudden arrival of visitors.

The birth of children

After Ish and Em come together, something happens that makes Ish panic, but Em turns it into a game. What happens? (a) The car won't start. (b) Princess disappears. (c) Em trips and hurts herself. (d) Ish loses his watch.

The car won't start.

Where does Ish take Joey after fixing the Jeep? (a) The university library (b) The stream (c) The city library (d) On a hunting trip

The city library

What does Joey want to fix after going to the library? (a) The water (b) The broken houses (c) His teeth (d) The lights

The lights

When pondering about mankind, Ish comes up with a definition for them. What definition does he use? (a) The world-killing animal. (b) The noise-producing animal. (c) The diseased animal. (d) The ravenous animal.

The noise-producing animal.

What is Ish's new name for the Tribe, after the killing of Charlie? (a) The Aristocrats (b) The Last Americans (c) The State (d) The Mother of Nations

The state

What does the Tribe name the Year 22? (a) The Bad Year (b) The Year of the Bow and Arrow (c) The Year of the Journey (d) The Year 22

The year 22

When Ish stays with Milt and Ann in New York, he finds they will not leave. Why does Ish think they won't leave? (a) They can find everything they need within walking distance. (b) They're trying to restart the government. (c) They are afraid of the outside world. (d) Their family is buried nearby.

They can find everything they need within walking distance.

Why did the Tribe stop working on digging the well? (a) Ish told them to stop (b) They were tired (c) They had enough water for the day (d) The Tribe was attacked

They had enough water for the day

When Ish decides to take a cross-country trip, what is the reason he decides to go? (a) To find other survivors. (b) To find a friend he hopes survived. (c) To find his parents. (d) To find a safer place to live.

To find other survivors.

Why was Ezra pretending to be sick? (a) He was scared of Charlie (b) To talk to Em (c) To have Charlie take his vest off (d) To talk to Ish

To have Charlie take his vest off

Where does Ish drive when he finds out Em is pregnant? (a) To the hospital. (b) To the library. (c) To an old pharmacy. (d) Back to Em's old house.

To the library

How many children did Em have before the virus? (a) One. (b) Three. (c) Four. (d) Two.

Two

When Ish is alone in the cabin, what disturbs him? (a) Two men coming inside. (b) Wild dogs fighting outside at night. (c) An explosion in the valley. (d) A strong wind rocking the house

Two men coming inside

What disease breaks out in the Tribe after they kill Charlie? (a) tuberculosis (b) flu (c) measles (d) typhoid fever

Typhoid fever

What resource does the Tribe lose at the start of the Year 22? (a) Water (b) Food (c) Matches (d) Bullets

Water

Which of the following has not happened to the University library when Ish visits it after Charlie dies? (a) Bats (b) Water Damage (c) Rodents (d) Broken Windows

Water Damage

What is deteriorating throughout the italics in the Quick Years? Electricity Water pipes The library Ish's mind

Water Pipes

During the second Quick Years, what question do the young men ask Ish most frequently? (a) Who to choose for a wife. (b) Where to hunt. (c) What the future will bring. (d) About the past.

Where to hunt

After Ish returns to the drunkard that he met in the city, Mr. Barlow ends up dying. What does Ish do with him? (a) Dumps him with the other bodies. (b) Wraps him in a blanket. (c) Buries him. (d) Leaves him where he finds him.

Wraps him in a blanket.

What does Em decide to call the First Year? (a) Year of the drought. (b) Year of plenty. (c) Year of the baby. (d) Year of the ox.

Year of the baby