WorksheetsScythe - Novel Test
Total questions: 36
Worksheet time: 9hrs 0mins
Read the following passage:
The growth of civilization was complete. Everyone knew it. When it came to the human race, there was no more left to learn. Nothing about our own existence to decipher. Which meant that no one person was more important than any other. In fact, in the grand scheme of things, everyone was equally useless.
What does this passage reveal about the post-mortal age in which the story takes place?
Scythes perform a meaningful service to the world
Immortality has made people's lives virtually meaningless
Citra's parents' jobs are important to society's existence
The Scythedom's greatest challenge is to justify its existence to the people it's supposed to serve
Read the following passage:
She assumed she would go to college, get a degree in something pleasant, then settle into a comfortable job, meet a comfortable guy, and have a nice, unremarkable life. It's not that she longed for such an existence, but it was expected. Not just of her, but of everyone. With nothing to really aspire to, life had become about maintenance.
According to the text, how does Citra feel about her future before becoming an apprentice?
She's not excited about any of it; learning, marriage, and having children is just something she knows she'll probably do, rather than something she actively wants to do.
She is looking forward to these traditional markers of adulthood and coming of age.
She feels these are one-time experiences and therefore, are special and significant.
She sees it as a is a significant and compelling lifestyle.
Read the following excerpt:
He was loved, but only as one among a group of other beloved things.
What does this passage reveal about Rowan's feelings towards his family?
He feels they provide for all of his wants and needs
He feels they love him completely and would do anything for him
He feels they love him because he's family, not for who he is as an individual
He feels they don't respect his decision to become a scythe's apprentice
Which of the following selections supports the idea that Citra is an overachiever?
Citra had to tell herself that there was an out. She could fail to perform. She could be a lousy apprentice. She could sabotage herself so completely that Honorable Scythe Faraday would be forced to choose Rowan and return her to her family at the end of the year. The problem was that Citra was very bad at doing things half-fast. It would be much harder for her to fail than to succeed.
Citra was well known for her temper. It often arrived before reason, and left only after the damage was done. Tonight would be no exception. “Why are you doing this? If you’re here to glean one of us, just get it over with and stop torturing us!”
The scythe wiped her blade on a chamois cloth the same pale lavender as her robe, and that’s when Citra lost control. “You gave him no warning!” she blurted. “How could you do that? You don’t even know him! You didn’t even let him prepare!”
Citra neared the edge, and rather than slowing down, she increased her pace, until the grass was gone and there was nothing but one hundred nineteen floors of air beneath her. She held her cuffed hands over her head, grimacing against the wind and the uneasy feel of freefall, and plummeted feet first, surrendering her will to gravity, relishing her defiance, until her life ended for the second time in a week, this time with what was undoubtedly the best splat ever.
Which of the following selections demonstrates Scythe Faraday's compassion?
“Good,” said the scythe. “I applaud your fortitude. Now, as it happens, your husband did not resist his gleaning.” Then he touched his swelling face. “However, my apprentice and I had an altercation, resulting in these wounds.”
I will not tolerate childish pastimes or vapid communications with friends. Commitment to this life means leaving behind your old life as fully as possible. When, a year from now, I choose between you, the unchosen one can return to his or her former life easily enough. But for now, consider that life a part of your past.
You shall live as I do. Modestly, and subsisting on the goodwill of others. You will take no more than you need, and waste nothing. People will attempt to buy your friendship. They will lavish things upon you. Accept nothing but the barest of human necessities.
We are above the law, but that does not mean we live in defiance of it. Our position demands a level of morality beyond the rule of law. We must strive for incorruptibility, and must assess our motives on a daily basis.
Which of the following selections supports the idea that Citra is implusive? Select all that apply.
Citra had to tell herself that there was an out. She could fail to perform. She could be a lousy apprentice. She could sabotage herself so completely that Honorable Scythe Faraday would be forced to choose Rowan and return her to her family at the end of the year. The problem was that Citra was very bad at doing things half-fast. It would be much harder for her to fail than to succeed.
Citra was well known for her temper. It often arrived before reason, and left only after the damage was done. Tonight would be no exception. “Why are you doing this? If you’re here to glean one of us, just get it over with and stop torturing us!”
The scythe wiped her blade on a chamois cloth the same pale lavender as her robe, and that’s when Citra lost control. “You gave him no warning!” she blurted. “How could you do that? You don’t even know him! You didn’t even let him prepare!”
Citra neared the edge, and rather than slowing down, she increased her pace, until the grass was gone and there was nothing but one hundred nineteen floors of air beneath her. She held her cuffed hands over her head, grimacing against the wind and the uneasy feel of freefall, and plummeted feet first, surrendering her will to gravity, relishing her defiance, until her life ended for the second time in a week, this time with what was undoubtedly the best splat ever.
Which of the following selections supports that Rowan is empathetic? Select all that apply.
Tyger Salazar had hurled himself out a thirty-nine-story window, leaving a terrible mess on the marble plaza below. His own parents were so annoyed by it, they didn’t come to see him. But Rowan did. Rowan Damisch was just that kind of friend.
Rowan, at sixteen, had resolved he would experience gray hair before he turned his first corner—and even then, he wouldn’t reset so far down as to be embarrassing. Some people reset to twenty-one, which was the youngest genetic therapy could take a person. Rumor was, though, that they were working on ways to reset right down into the teens—which Rowan found ridiculous.
Rowan considered giving him directions and heading the opposite way, but decided that was too cowardly. “I’m going there,” Rowan said. “I’ll take you.”
The scythe burned Rowan a glare. The mountain lion, thought Rowan. Only this one actually had the power to end a human life. “His parents aren’t here,” Rowan said. “He should have someone with him.” “Are you family?” “Does it matter?”
Which of the following selections demonstrates the importance of being ethical to Scythe Faraday?
There was a computer interface there, which Citra used for her studies—because unlike Faraday, Scythe Curie did not shun the digital when it came to learning.
It was Scythe Faraday’s humble and serious “old-guard” nature that had made an impression on Rowan.
You shall study history, the great philosophers, the sciences. You will come to understand the nature of life and what it means to be human before you are permanently charged with the taking of life.
Scythe Faraday smiled. “I like to think I chose an appropriate Patron Historic. Like many scientists, Michael Faraday was underappreciated in his life, yet our world would not be what it is without him.”
Which of the following selections supports that Rowan is empathetic? Select all that apply.
Tyger Salazar had hurled himself out a thirty-nine-story window, leaving a terrible mess on the marble plaza below. His own parents were so annoyed by it, they didn’t come to see him. But Rowan did. Rowan Damisch was just that kind of friend.
Rowan, at sixteen, had resolved he would experience gray hair before he turned his first corner—and even then, he wouldn’t reset so far down as to be embarrassing. Some people reset to twenty-one, which was the youngest genetic therapy could take a person. Rumor was, though, that they were working on ways to reset right down into the teens—which Rowan found ridiculous.
Rowan considered giving him directions and heading the opposite way, but decided that was too cowardly. “I’m going there,” Rowan said. “I’ll take you.”
The scythe burned Rowan a glare. The mountain lion, thought Rowan. Only this one actually had the power to end a human life. “His parents aren’t here,” Rowan said. “He should have someone with him.” “Are you family?” “Does it matter?”
Which of the following passages convey the idea that people do not view death seriously in the post-mortal age? Select all that apply.
The only good thing about it was the food at the revival center on the day she regained consciousness. They had the best homemade ice cream—so good that she once splatted just to get another taste of it. But of course, leave it to her parents to send her to a cheapo revival center with sucky food.
“It’s not that I don’t want to, I’m just busy today. Can I throw you under a truck some other time?”
Tyger leaned back into his pillow, immensely pleased with himself. “Best splat ever!”
“That a scythe is merely the instrument of death, but it is your hand that swings me. You and your parents, and everyone else in this world are the wielders of scythes.”
Read the following passage:
The idea that not all scythes were good was something neither Rowan or Citra had ever considered. It was widely accepted that scythes adhered to the highest moral and ethical standards. They were wise in their dealings and fair in their choices. Even the ones who sought celebrity were seen to deserve it. The idea that some scythes might not be as honorable as Scythe Faraday did not sit well with either of his new apprentices.
Which of the following theme topics does this passage support? Select all that apply.
Coming of Age
Corruption and Justice
Compassion and Choice
Mortality and Life
Read the following passage:
"But people could read it. The Scythe Archive is open to everyone."
"Yeah," said Rowan, "like the Thunderhead. People can read anything, but no one does. All they do is play games and watch cat holograms."
Which of the following theme topics does this passage support?
Coming of Age
Corruption and Justice
Compassion
Mortality and Life
Read the following passage:
He clicked on each name and brought up four pictures. He immediately regretted it, because the moment those names had faces, they became people instead of parameters.
Which of the following theme topics does this passage support? Select all that apply.
Coming of Age
Corruption and Justice
Compassion and Choice
Mortality and Life
Read the following passage:
They removed their raincoats to reveal robes of all colors, all textures. It was a rainbow that summoned forth anything but thoughts of death. This, Citra realized, was intentional. Scythes wished to be seen as the many facets of light, not of darkness.
Which of the following theme topics does this passage support? Select all that apply.
Coming of Age
Corruption and Justice
Compassion and Choice
Mortality and Life
Read the following passage:
"Never lose your humanity," Scythe Faraday had told him, "or you'll be nothing more than a killing machine." He had used the word "killing" rather than "gleaning." Rowan hadn't thought much of it at the time, but now he understood; it stopped being gleaning the moment one became desensitized to the act.
Which of the following theme topics does this passage support? Select all that apply.
Coming of Age
Corruption and Justice
Compassion and Choice
Mortality and Life
Read the following passage:
"Embrace it, Rowan... You may think gleaning is an acquired taste, but it's not. The thrill of the hunt and the joy of the kill simmers in all of us. Bring it to the surface and then you'll be the kind of scythe this world needs."
Which of the following theme topics does this passage support? Select all that apply.
Coming of Age
Corruption and Justice
Choice
Mortality and Life
Read the following passage:
Tyger left with the other professional party people, with whom he seemed to share much more in common now than with Rowan. Rowan wondered if there was anyone from his old life he could relate to anymore.
Which of the following theme topics does this passage support?
Coming of Age
Corruption and Justice
Compassion and Choice
Mortality and Life
Read the following passage:
“The cloud” evolved into “the Thunderhead,” and now all there is to know about everything resides in the near-infinite memory of the Thunderhead for anyone who wants to access it. But like so many things, once we had possession of infinite knowledge, it suddenly seemed less important. Less urgent. Yes, we know everything, but I often wonder if anyone bothers to look at all that knowledge.
Based on this passage, what is the general attitude of society in the post-Mortal age?
desperate
apathetic
passionate
stoic
Which of the following passages suggests that immortality has robbed humanity of its ability to feel a wide range of emotions? Select all that apply.
And the story, while easy to follow even without a knowledge of Italian, had little resonance for either of them. It was, after all, a work from the Age of Mortality. War, vengeance, murder—all the themes on which the tale was strung—were so removed from modern reality, few could relate.
There was a coherence to the work, as if it had been painted by the same soul, if not the same hand. Some works had a religious theme, others were portraits, and others simply captured the elusive light of daily life with a vibrancy that was missing in post-mortal art. Longing and elation, anguish and joy—they were all there, sometimes commingling in the same canvas. It was in some ways unsettling, but compelling as well.
“What do you think our conversation would have been like had I brought you to the post-mortality galleries instead of these older ones?” Rowan ventured an answer. “Probably about how much easier on the eye post-mortal art is. Easier and . . . untroubled.” “How about uninspired?” prompted the scythe.
“You are both made of the highest moral fiber,” Faraday told them, “and I believe the high ground on which you stand will compel you into my apprenticeship—not because I force it upon you, but because you choose it.”
Read the following passage:
Then Scythe Faraday did something they didn’t expect. He turned to Rowan and handed him the vial. “Please place the pill in Mrs. Becker’s mouth.” “Who, me?” Scythe Faraday didn’t answer. He simply held the vial out, waiting for Rowan to take it. Rowan knew he wasn’t officially performing the gleaning, but to be an intermediary . . . the thought was debilitating. He swallowed, tasting bitterness as if the pill were in his own mouth. He refused to take it. Scythe Faraday gave him a moment more, then turned to Citra. “You, then.” Citra just shook her head. Scythe Faraday smiled. “Very good,” he told them. “I was testing you. I would not have been pleased if either of you were eager to administer death.”
Which of the following beliefs does this passage indicate is held by Scythe Faraday?
a good scythe shouldn't enjoy killing, and shouldn't want to do it
some scythes are not honorable
a scythe's journal is something performative and done for others
the importance of working within a system to change things from the beginning
Which of the following statements by Goddard indicate that he wants people to worship him and treat him more like a god?
After all, this is a perfect world—and in a perfect world, don’t we all have the right to love what we do?
“I cannot believe that a fellow scythe would show such cowardice. I demand that the accuser reveal his or herself.”
“Our method will be as our mood suits us. Sans incendiary devices, of course. Now please start choosing people so we may begin.”
“I am your final word! Your omega! Your bringer of peace and rest. Embrace me!”
Read the following passage:
Scythe Faraday only found fit to voice his opinion once—when it came to forming an immunity committee. “It seems clear to me that there should be oversight for the granting of immunity, just as the selection committee provides oversight for gleaning" ... “The subject will be at the top of our agenda for the next conclave,” (Xenocrates) announced. A number of scythes applauded, but several rose up and shouted their grievous discontent at the issue being tabled. Scythe Faraday did not voice his own displeasure. He took a long breath in and out. “Interesting . . .” is all he said.
What does Faraday's response indicate?
Xenocrates is the most powerful person in this room and should take such accusations seriously in order to do his job properly
He is realizing that Xenocrates is being secretly influenced by someone
Faraday is more knowledgeable and trustworthy than Rowan and Citra already thought he was.
Faraday believes that anonymity is essential to doing his job properly.
Which of the Scythe Commandments denies scythes a natural, normal part of being a human being? Type in the number as your answer.
The Scythe Commandments
1) Thou shalt kill.
2) Thou shalt kill with no bias, bigotry, or malice aforethought.
3) Thou shalt grant an annum of immunity to the beloved of those who accept your coming, and to anyone else you deem worthy.
4) Thou shalt kill the beloved of those who resist.
5) Thou shalt serve humanity for the full span of thy days, and thy family shall have immunity as recompense for as long as you live.
6) Thou shalt lead an exemplary life in word and deed, and keep a journal of each and every day.
7) Thou shalt kill no scythe beyond thyself.
8) Thou shalt claim no earthly possessions, save thy robes, ring, and journal.
9) Thou shalt have neither spouse nor spawn.
10) Thou shalt be beholden to no laws beyond these.
(a)
Read the following passage:
I think it’s wise that scythes may not
glean one another. It was clearly
implemented to prevent Byzantine
grabs at power; but where power is
concerned there are always those who
find ways to grasp for it.
I think it’s also wise that we are
allowed to glean ourselves. I will admit
there were times when I considered it.
When the weight of responsibility felt so
heavy, leaving the yoke of the world
behind seemed a better alternative. But
one thought always stayed my hand
from committing that final act.
If not me, who?
Will the scythe who replaces me be
as compassionate and fair?
I can accept a world without me in
it . . . but I can’t bear the thought of
other scythes gleaning in my absence.
—From the gleaning journal of H.S.
Curie
According to Curie's journal entry, why hasn't she gleaned herself? Select all that apply.
She has a huge responsibility to make the world a better place
She knows that someone else, like Goddard, might not take gleaning seriously
She hasn't lived long enough to glean herself and wants her family to keep immunity
She is still in love with Faraday and wants to fake her gleaning like he did
Read the following passage:
“When you’re a scythe,” she told Citra, “I’m sure you won’t do things my way. You won’t do things the way Scythe Faraday did, either. You’ll find your own path. It may not bring you redemption, it might not even bring you peace, but it will keep you from despising yourself.”
True or False? Based on the text, Scythe Curie believes there are a variety of ways for a scythe to show their victims and the families that they care and mourn their loss.
True
False
Read the following passage:
If you’ve ever studied mortal age cartoons, you’ll remember this one. A coyote was always plotting the demise of a smirking long-necked bird. The coyote never succeeded; instead, his plans always backfired. He would blow up, or get shot, or splat from a ridiculous height. And it was funny. Because no matter how deadly his failure, he was always back in the next scene, as if there were a revival center just beyond the edge of the animation cell. I’ve seen human foibles that have resulted in temporary maiming or momentary loss of life. People stumble into manholes, are hit by falling objects, trip into the paths of speeding vehicles. And when it happens, people laugh, because no matter how gruesome the event, that person, just like the coyote, will be back in a day or two, as good as new, and no worse—or wiser—for the wear. Immortality has turned us all into cartoons. —From the gleaning journal of H.S. Curie
True or False? Based on the text, Scythe Curie believes death is really meaningful to most people.
True
False
Read the following excerpt:
What if Faraday’s death was, to use the word Scythe Curie had taught her, murder?
The fact that Citra concludes Faraday may have been murdered indicates she is aware of which of the following?
The Scythedom is corrupt and scythes are abusing their power
Scythe Faraday has made many enemies by gleaning
Scythe Faraday faked his own death
Citra trusted the Thunderhead completely
Read the following excerpt:
Rowan took his place at the scythe’s right hand.
“Doesn’t the eighth commandment say that a scythe can’t own anything but his robe, ring, and journal?”
“Correct,” said Scythe Goddard brightly. "I own none of this. The food is donated by generous benefactors, the guests are here by choice, and this fine estate has been graciously loaned to me for as long as I choose to grace its halls."
This text supports which of the following statements?
Goddard is capable of twisting any of the Scythedom's rules
Goddard believes that scythes should give up their comfortable positions as painless creatures
Goddard is comfortable with breaking any Scythe Commandment he doesn't agree with
Goddard believes people donate their belongings to him because they want to
Read the following excerpt:
“What do you people believe?”
“We believe many things.”
“Tell me one.”
“We believe that flames were not meant to burn forever.”
Citra looked to the candles by the altar. “Is that why the curate was dousing candles?”
“Part of our ritual, yes."
This text provides evidence that Tonists agree with which of the following statements?
Immortality isn't a good thing
“That which comes can’t be avoided.”
The Scythedom and the Tonists have the same beliefs
Leaving candles burning is dangerous
Read the following excerpt:
“Scythe Volta is always cranky after a gleaning,” Esme leaned over to tell Rowan. “Don’t stare at him, or he’ll throw something at you.”
Which of the following statements is true, based on the evidence in this excerpt?
Volta is uncomfortable with Goddard's gleaning methods
Volta is weak and will likely never leave Goddard
Volta easily justifies following Goddard
Volta is secretly in love with Rand
At Harvest Conclave, Rowan and Citra have to fight in a Bokator match. With ten seconds left, Rowan knows what he has to do. He darts at Citra, grabs her neck, and snarls that she'll get what she deserves. He snaps her neck and lets her deadish body fall. Why does Rowan decide to end the match this way?
To make is seem as though he's in Goddard's pocket
So that Citra won't trust him anymore and will be pushed into feeling like she has no choice but to win the scythehood
To further Goddard's message and gain him more followers
To get old guard scythes like Mandela and Curie to do something about Goddard
Read the following passage:
Rowan knew he was out on a limb with Volta. The only thing to do was shimmy to its precarious end. “You only pretend to like gleaning,” he said to Volta. “But you hate it more than you’ve ever hated anything. Your mentor was Scythe Nehru, right? He’s very old-school, which means he chose you for your conscience. You don’t want to take life—and you definitely don’t want to take dozens upon dozens at a time.”
Volta leaped up, moving faster than seemed possible. He lifted Rowan up and pushed him against the wall with a bruising slam that made Rowan sorely miss his painkilling nanites.
“You will never repeat that to anyone, do you hear me? I’ve come too far to have my position jeopardized! I won’t be blackmailed by a snot-nosed apprentice!”
“Is that what you think I’m doing? Blackmailing you?”
“Don’t toy with me!” growled Volta “I know why you’re here!”
Rowan was genuinely disappointed. “I thought you knew me.”
A moment more and Volta loosened his grip. “Nobody knows anyone, do they?” he said.
“I promise I won’t tell anyone. And I don’t want anything from you.”
Volta finally backed off. “I’m sorry. After you’ve been surrounded by so much scheming, you start to think that’s how everyone plays.”
Based on this passage, how does Volta feel about his position with Goddard and his disciples?
he hasn't chosen yet whether or not to follow Goddard
he feels uneasy about his position in Goddard's inner circle
he is a friend and a confidant to Rowan
he prioritizes his own wellbeing over the wellbeing of the people he's supposed to serve
Read the following passage:
“So tell me,” said Goddard, “does fortune smile on my apprentice, as it has on yours?”
Now Volta’s ears pricked up, wondering what fortune Goddard meant.
Xenocrates took a deep breath and let it out. “Fortune is smiling. The girl will cease to be an issue within a week. I’m sure of it.”
Who is "the girl" Xenocrates is referring to in this conversation?
Esme
Rand
Citra
Susan
Read this passage:
. . . Yet even in dreams I often find myself gleaning.
I have one dream that recurs far too often. I am walking on an unfamiliar street that I feel I should know, but don’t. I have a pitchfork, which I’ve never used in real life; its awkward tines are not well suited for gleaning, and when it strikes it reverberates, giving off a sound that is something between ringing and moaning, like the numbing vibration of a Tonist bident.
There is a woman before me whom I must glean. I jab at her, yet the pitchfork fails to do the job. Her wounds heal instantaneously. She is not upset or frightened. Nor is she amused. She is simply resigned to stand there, allowing me to futilely attempt to end her life. She opens her mouth to speak, but her voice is soft and her words are drowned out by the fork’s ghastly moans, so I never hear her.
And I always wake up screaming. —From the gleaning journal of H.S. Curie
What is the purpose of this journal entry?
reminds the reader that the good scythes in particular are haunted by what they do, and they never grow desensitized to the act of gleaning
helps Citra to feel more empathy and compassion for Tonists even though she believes they are fundamentally different from her
reveals that Curie sent Citra to Faraday so that Citra could continue her training, in the hopes that if Curie can clear Citra's name at home
suggests that Faraday wasn't as all-knowing as Citra and Rowan thought
Read the following excerpt:
“Volta was the weakest of us,” Goddard said. “I’m not entirely surprised. Once you’re ordained, I will happily have you take his place.”
What is revealed to Rowan by Goddard's reaction to Volta's self-gleaning?
Goddard is there for his disciples, like Curie was for Citra, or like Faraday tried to be for both Rowan and Citra
Goddard is an evil and heartless villain, both a horrendous mentor and a horrendous person
Goddard is part of a growing faction of scythes who work very hard to suppress their consciences and instead take joy in killing
Goddard is attempting to teach Rowan to enjoy the actual act of taking lives and to not have to think about the people he's killing
Read the following excerpt:
Rowan arrived alone in a publicar, with no sponsor and no one to shepherd him in. He was dressed in the one color that scythes shunned—black. It made his green apprentice armband stand out and gave him a silent air of defiance.
What is the purpose of Rowan wearing black to Winter Conclave?
it is another way that Rowan can signal to others that he doesn't actually want to be a part of the Scythedom
it is a reminder to the scythes at Winter Conclave that scythes all wear different colored robes, signaling that scythes are meant to represent light and good things for humanity
it is a reminder that he is mourning the Tonists, and that all people are deserving of respect and compassion, no matter how eccentric
it is a trick to make the scythes at Winter Conclave think he is doing it out of respect over the deaths of Goddard and his disciples
