"Anthem" Comprehension Questions by Chapter (Ayn Rand, High School ELA)

Anthem comprehension questions and reading quizzes for high school ELA — one set per chapter, covering all twelve chapters of Ayn Rand’s novella. Each set includes multiple choice questions and most include a short answer prompt. Cut and paste from any chapter below or download the complete formatted resource with answer keys.

FREE: Cut and paste questions for all chapters below.

PURCHASE: Anthem Reading Questions by Chapter: 12 handouts with answer keys in PDF and editable DOCX. Click here to preview the handouts. Quizzes that divide Anthem into three readings are also available.

Anthem Chapter 1 Comprehension Questions

Which of the following words is NOT found in Chapter 1?
- A. Men
- B. Me
- C. We
- D. Our
Which choice reflects the narration (telling) of Chapter 1?
- A. Equality writes in his journal.
- B. The Council of Elders files a report.
- C. An unknown narrator who is not personally involved.
- D. Brotherhood 4-1691 tells children what happened long ago.
At the very start of the story, Equality is…
- A. Resting in his jail cell.
- B. Performing manual labor (carrying bricks).
- C. Eating in a dining hall.
- D. Hiding in a tunnel.
Equality feels that he is different because he…
- A. Has more faith than everyone else.
- B. Is evil compared to everyone else.
- C. Deals honestly with people.
- D. Trick question! He does not think that he is different.
What is Equality’s favorite class in the Home of the Students?
- A. History
- B. Physical Education
- C. Penmanship
- D. Science
What physical trait makes Equality stand out?
- A. The color of his eyes
- B. The color of his hair
- C. His height
- D. One leg is shorter than the other.
According to the Old Ones, life in the Unmentionable Times was…
- A. Full of modern conveniences and achievements.
- B. A mass starvation event.
- C. Groups of early humans hunting and killing each other.
- D. Trick question! They do not mention it.
To what home does the Council of Vocations assign Equality?
- A. Growers
- B. Street Sweepers
- C. Party Boys
- D. Scholars
The only way that someone can change their vocation (job) is by…
- A. Agreeing to work in the mining pits.
- B. Moving to the “Frozen Wastes.”
- C. Getting a Council Leader to issue an appeal.
- D. Trick question! They cannot change it.
How does the Council handle the people that are too old to work?
- A. Drowning
- B. Starvation
- C. Hypothermia (cold)
- D. Trick question! They send them to the Home of the Useless.
What crime does Equality ask International to commit?
- A. Keeping a secret
- B. Altering a document in the Hall of Records
- C. Murder
- D. Friendship
Equality regularly sneaks away when he is supposed to be…
- A. Sleeping.
- B. At the theatre.
- C. Working.
- D. At the Fitness Center.
What does Equality steal from the Home of the Scholars?
- A. Paintings and sculptures
- B. Food and clothing
- C. Binoculars and a whistle
- D. Books and candles
(Short answer) Describe a typical day in the life of a typical citizen of the collective society.

Anthem Chapter 2 Comprehension Questions

Which words best describe Liberty 5-3000?
- A. Awkward and comical (funny)
- B. Beautiful and graceful
- C. Large and gruff (harsh in manners)
- D. Shy and secretive
What is Liberty 5-3000’s occupation?
- A. Scholar
- B. Carpenter
- C. Cook
- D. Farmer
Equality does not introduce himself to Liberty at first because…
- A. She avoids him.
- B. He is too shy.
- C. It is forbidden.
- D. Trick question! He introduces himself right away.
What new name does Equality choose for Liberty 5-3000?
- A. Aurora
- B. She Who Knows
- C. Evil Eyes
- D. Golden One
How does procreation (having babies) happen in the collective society?
- A. Partners are assigned at the Palace of Mating.
- B. Men and women are picked at random to live together and mate.
- C. Sex is forbidden, but it seems to happen anyway.
- D. The babies are produced in a laboratory.
In Chapter 2, the Council of the Home reprimands Equality for…
- A. Reading manuscripts.
- B. Falling asleep at work.
- C. Putting food in his pockets.
- D. Singing and looking happy.
Equality realizes that his “brothers” in his dormitory mainly feel…
- A. Anger.
- B. Contentedness (peace and satisfaction).
- C. Fear.
- D. Nothing at all.
What is the only crime punishable by death in the collective society?
- A. Falling in love
- B. Speaking the Unspeakable Word
- C. Fratricide (murder of a brother)
- D. Refusing or being unable to work
(Short answer) Equality remembers a violent public event that he witnessed when he was ten years old. Describe the terrible event that he recalls so vividly.

Anthem Chapter 3 Comprehension Questions

What is Equality doing when he makes his first scientific breakthrough?
- A. Sitting under an apple tree
- B. Sorting pieces of broken glass
- C. Dissecting (cutting up) a frog
- D. Wiping a tool on a piece of cloth
Equality’s main discoveries center on…
- A. Electricity.
- B. Gravity.
- C. Biology.
- D. Chemistry.
Equality’s scientific efforts are aided greatly by…
- A. The Council of Inventions.
- B. Liberty 5-3000.
- C. An elderly man from the Home of the Useless.
- D. The objects he finds in the tunnel.
What can the reader conclude about the Council of Scholars by the end of Chapter 3?
- A. They know about the train tunnel.
- B. They hide the vast scientific knowledge that they have.
- C. They know little about science.
- D. They will ask Equality to join them.
(Short answer) How does Equality’s view on his crimes change by Chapter 3?

Anthem Chapter 4 Comprehension Questions

What new name does Liberty choose for Equality 7-2521?
- A. Billy Bob
- B. The Unconquered
- C. Hemlock
- D. He Who Knows
What gift does Liberty give to Equality at the edge of the farming field?
- A. A flower
- B. A drink of water
- C. A lens / microscope
- D. A book
Who forces Liberty to leave her rendezvous (meeting) with Equality?
- A. A Peacekeeper
- B. Equality forces her to leave.
- C. Her “sisters” from the Home of the Peasants.
- D. Trick question! No one forces her to leave.
(Short answer) Describe the circumstances that lead to Liberty and Equality re-inventing the kiss.

Anthem Chapter 5 Comprehension Questions

Equality’s greatest invention is…
- A. A cart with spinning brushes.
- B. A water pump.
- C. An electric light.
- D. A new type of metal.
What does Equality initially decide to do with his greatest invention?
- A. Give it to the Scholars.
- B. Give it to Liberty.
- C. Destroy it.
- D. Keep the secret for himself.
Equality suspects that his invention will lead to…
- A. Great personal wealth.
- B. Forgiveness from the Council.
- C. Marriage with Liberty.
- D. Nothing important.
What important event does Equality anticipate with great excitement?
- A. Street Sweeper Appreciation Month
- B. The opening of the Palace of Mating
- C. Equality day (his name day)
- D. A meeting of the World Council of Scholars
At the very end of Chapter 5, Equality decides that he wants to…
- A. Destroy his invention.
- B. Kill himself.
- C. Look at himself.
- D. Shave his head.
(Short answer) Describe Equality’s plans for his future at the end of Chapter 5.

Anthem Chapter 6 Comprehension Questions

Why does Equality fail to return to the theatre in time?
- A. A Peacekeeper patrol was near the tunnel entrance.
- B. He was excited and lost track of time.
- C. He shocked himself and was left unconscious.
- D. Trick question! He returned in time.
When the Council questions Equality about his absence, he lies and says that…
- A. He switched seats with an injured brother.
- B. The Leaders sent him on an unusual errand.
- C. He stayed home due to illness.
- D. Trick question! He tells no lies.
What method of torture does the Palace of Corrective Detention employ?
- A. Water / drowning
- B. Sleep deprivation / noises
- C. Whipping / beating
- D. Dad jokes
The judges make it clear that they want Equality to…
- A. Tell them where he has been.
- B. Tell them who has been helping him.
- C. Tell them how his invention works.
- D. Beg for forgiveness and mercy.
How does Equality escape from the Palace of Corrective Detention?
- A. International 6-8900 breaks him out.
- B. He basically just walks out.
- C. His complicated plan outsmarts the guards.
- D. Trick question! They send him home.
Equality leaves the Palace of Corrective Detention because…
- A. His punishment is over.
- B. He wants to make sure that Liberty is safe.
- C. He must attend an important meeting.
- D. The Palace is closing for an annual (yearly) ceremony.

Anthem Chapter 7 Comprehension Questions

Where is Equality doing his journaling at this point in the story?
- A. The Uncharted Forest
- B. Liberty’s chamber in the Home of the Peasants
- C. The Palace of Unending Sadness
- D. His laboratory (the train tunnel)
How do the scholars initially react to Equality’s arrival at the Council of Scholars?
- A. Bored and uninterested
- B. Welcoming and supportive
- C. Shocked and angry
- D. Ecstatic (extremely joyful)
Equality lies to the scholars and tells them that…
- A. He is a scholar from a distant city.
- B. He works for the World Council.
- C. He did not steal the scientific instruments / supplies.
- D. Trick question! He tells the whole truth.
What do the scholars do when Equality demonstrates the electric light?
- A. They run from it and cower against the wall.
- B. They try to smash it with their canes and chairs.
- C. They act as though they approve of it.
- D. Trick question! There is no demonstration.
How is the light box destroyed?
- A. The Scholars smash it.
- B. Equality throws it from the highest tower of the palace.
- C. It burns up and melts in the fire.
- D. Trick question! The light box lives.
At the end of Chapter 7, Equality thinks about his death. How does he expect to die?
- A. Old age
- B. Animal attack
- C. Whipped to death
- D. Burned alive
(Short answer) Equality records his experiences by writing a journal. Describe his location and situation as he writes this part of his story.

Anthem Chapter 8 Comprehension Questions

Which choice describes Equality’s emotional state on his first morning in the forest?
- A. Joyful
- B. Sorrowful
- C. Fearful
- D. Enraged
What does Equality eat first in the Uncharted Forest?
- A. Berries and fruit
- B. A bird
- C. Leaves and roots
- D. Trick question! He goes hungry.
In the forest Equality spends time looking carefully at…
- A. A statue from the Unmentionable Times.
- B. Different types of trees and plants.
- C. The rain, mist, fog, and ice.
- D. His own reflection.
Now that Equality has nothing to write on, the telling of the story has changed to…
- A. Liberty’s point of view.
- B. Equality talking to his granddaughter.
- C. A report from the World Council.
- D. Trick question! He is still keeping a journal.
(Short answer) Describe Equality’s experience in the forest so far. What has it been like for him?

Anthem Chapter 9 Comprehension Questions

How is it that Liberty and Equality reunite in Chapter 9?
- A. They are sent to the same prison.
- B. Equality breaks into the Home of the Peasants.
- C. Liberty runs away and follows Equality into the forest.
- D. Trick question! They do not reunite.
Equality learns that after his escape…
- A. The people were talking about what he did.
- B. The Council lied about what happened.
- C. Liberty was sent to the Palace of Corrective Detention.
- D. The government became even stricter.
Which choice best describes Liberty’s emotional response to the new Equality?
- A. Terror / confusion
- B. Admiration / obedience
- C. Sorrow / disappointment
- D. Defiance / refusal
After several days in the forest, Liberty and Equality suffer from…
- A. Hunger.
- B. Personal conflicts (arguments).
- C. Cold.
- D. Trick question! They do not suffer.
What can the reader conclude about Liberty by the end of Chapter 9?
- A. She is more intelligent than Equality.
- B. She wants to return to the city.
- C. She loves Equality.
- D. She is a spy for the World Council.
Equality explains that one day he must…
- A. Build a house.
- B. Take over the World Council.
- C. Learn the ways of the animals.
- D. Return to live in the City of Men.

Anthem Chapter 10 Comprehension Questions

Where is the building where Liberty and Equality sleep located?
- A. In the heart of an abandoned city
- B. On a rocky island
- C. On an isolated mountain
- D. In a hot, windy desert
Regarding the artifacts from the Unmentionable Times, Equality is most interested in _______ whereas Liberty is most interested in _______.
- A. Books / mirrors
- B. Cars / appliances
- C. Sinks / photographs
- D. Jewels / tools
What decision do Equality and Liberty reach regarding their future together?
- A. They will return to the City of Men.
- B. They will have a “dedication ceremony” (like a wedding).
- C. They will stay at the building forever.
- D. Trick question! They decide to break up.
In Chapter 10, Equality concludes that his life’s purpose must be to…
- A. Create a new society for all of humanity.
- B. Become a father and raise a loving family.
- C. Find a way to live forever.
- D. Trick question! He wonders about his purpose.
(Short answer) What are some of the observations and discoveries that Liberty and Equality make in the building from the Unmentionable Times?

Anthem Chapter 11 Comprehension Questions

What new discovery marks the start of Chapter 11?
- A. Liberty is pregnant.
- B. Singular personal pronouns
- C. A waterwheel / electric generator
- D. Capturing and raising animals for food
According to Equality, what are the holiest (most sacred) words ever known?
- A. “I love you.”
- B. “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
- C. “Free refills”
- D. “I will it.”
What issue makes Equality feel guilt?
- A. He realizes that he humiliated the Council of Scholars.
- B. He feels unworthy of Liberty’s love.
- C. He knows that he should fight to free all the people.
- D. Trick question! He feels no guilt.
Equality feels that the word _______ is the “creed of corruption” and the cause of great evils.
- A. Money
- B. Faith
- C. We
- D. Mine
Equality vows that he will only worship…
- A. Himself.
- B. His family.
- C. Science.
- D. God the creator.
A memorable moment comes in Chapter 11 when Liberty…
- A. Has an angry outburst.
- B. Announces that she is pregnant.
- C. Turns on the garage door opener.
- D. Trick question! None of these.

Anthem Chapter 12 Comprehension Questions

What names do Equality and Liberty ultimately choose for themselves?
- A. Adam and Eve
- B. Pyramus and Thisbe
- C. Plato and Persephone
- D. Prometheus and Gaea
In the final chapter, Equality learns that…
- A. Liberty is pregnant.
- B. The World Council is trying to find him.
- C. The City of Men (where he lived) has been destroyed.
- D. Living off the land is not so easy.
Equality will return once more to the City of Men in order to…
- A. Destroy it.
- B. Teach them all the true way.
- C. Rescue those who are like him.
- D. Trick question! He can never return.
What motto does Equality plan to carve into the front of the building?
- A. “SIC TRANSIT GLORIA”
- B. “GRATA”
- C. “EGO”
- D. “E PLURIBUS UNUM”
Which words do NOT accurately describe the narrator?
- A. Modest / humble
- B. Thoughtful / intelligent
- C. Brave / courageous
- D. Healthy / fit
(Short answer) What is Equality’s final plan for his future?

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The questions above cover all twelve chapters of Anthem with comprehension and recall at the multiple choice level and a short answer prompt for most chapters. Download the complete Anthem Reading Questions by Chapter for formatted PDF and editable DOCX files with a full answer key. Browse all free Anthem teaching posts from TeachNovels.

M. Towle

M. Towle is a veteran Language Arts and Social Studies teacher with fourteen years of classroom experience in urban schools in Los Angeles and Philadelphia. M. Towle holds an M.A. in Holocaust and Genocide Studies and is the founder of TeachNovels.com.

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“Anthem” Comprehension Questions by Chapter (Ayn Rand, High School ELA)