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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. What does Callahan scramble to collect when there is a sudden rainfall on his boat?

2. In order to handle the fish which continue to batter his ship, Callahan refines his ___________ technique.

3. What does Callahan eat on his birthday in order to have a small celebration?

4. __________ wind would mean faster travel, although it does present its own set of difficulties when a person is trying to sail.

5. What causes damage to the better functioning solar still, further making Callahan upset with his situation?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Callahan decide to eat more of the herbivore fish than the Dorado fish?

2. Why does Callahan want to have calmer weather, even though it might mean that he has a longer time until he might reach the shipping lanes?

3. Why is it important for the harpoon gun to have a strap on it, according to Callahan?

4. While Callahan hopes to reach his destination by February 25, what happens which seems to reduce the chances of this happening?

5. What does Callahan learn about the Italian vessel he passes during the beginning stages of the race?

6. How does Callahan begin to store food so that he may not run out of anything during times when he can not fish?

7. What has happened to the electrics in the Napoleon Solo, according to the notes of Callahan?

8. Why was there a possibility the Mini Transat might be delayed before Callahan had a chance to enter into it?

9. What is the problem of the choices which Callahan continues to make as he faces the problems of surviving in the boat?

10. What does Callahan begin to document in order to calculate the odds of his own survival?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Over time, Callahan begins to refer to the fishes around him as his friends and companions on his journey.

Part 1: Why do you think Callahan begins to see the fish as his friends?

Part 2: How do you think Callahan rationalizes the killing of the fish in order to provide him food?

Part 3: Do you think all humans instinctively seek out companionship? Why?

Essay Topic 2

Callahan's struggle to survive causes him to react instinctively when things go wrong.

Part 1: Why do you think the brain is able to continue to do things which will support human life?

Part 2: How do you think your body and mind might react if you were suddenly in a survival situation?

Part 3: Why do you think Callahan doesn't always trust in his survival instincts at first?

Essay Topic 3

Callahan describes sailing as a sort of religious calling for him, when he makes one his first entries in his journal.

Part 1: Why do you think Callahan decides to document his experiences?

Part 2: Why do you think sailing could be a sort of a religious call for some people?

Part 3: Do you feel you are called to do something specific in your life? What is this calling?

(see the answer keys)

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