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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. When the final solar still finally breaks, Callahan only has _______ and dorado for sustenance as well as his emergency water supply.

2. What does Callahan catch, despite his weakness from the vomiting after drinking the water?

3. What is polluting the water which is being captured in the solar still, according to Callahan's observations?

4. What does Callahan use in order to try to fix the breach in the life raft as caused by the fish?

5. From what besides the radar reflector does Callahan take the remnants in order to help make a crude rain collector?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the relationship that Callahan suddenly imagines with the dorado fish as they move past his boat?

2. What is the damage which Callahan notices has occurred on his fishing spear, making it less effective?

3. What does Callahan do to protect himself from a harsh landing on the rocky shore?

4. What is becoming harder for Callahan to complete after he has fixed the breach in the boat?

5. What was the warning that Callahan's ex-wife had given him, which Callahan now recalls?

6. How does Callahan finally fix the hole that has been ruining the solar still that he tries to use?

7. What can't Callahan do because of his declining health and hydration, even though he is filled with heartbreak?

8. What happens to the boat as a result of the fish fighting with Callahan during his attempts to catch it?

9. How does Callahan try to lure other fish to his boat in order to catch more food for his stockpile?

10. What is the fix that Callahan uses on the lower tube, helping it to hold air better than the upper tube?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Callahan thinks of his family often, what they are doing, and how they might be thinking of him.

Part 1: Why do you think Callahan continues to think about his family when he is out on the boat?

Part 2: Do you think it's helpful to think about home when you're in a survival situation?

Part 3: How do you think your family might react if you were lost at sea? Why?

Essay Topic 2

The storms that batter the seas around Callahan from the beginning do not deter him from his goals.

Part 1: Why do you think that storms were not a concern for Callahan?

Part 2: How do you think you would have handled the presence of storms if you were on the boat?

Part 3: Do you think there is ever a time when the seas are completely calm?

Essay Topic 3

The Coast Guard doesn't seem all that interested in helping the Callahan find their lost family member.

Part 1: Why do you think the Coast Guard isn't as helpful as they could have been?

Part 2: How do you think the Coast Guard could have helped out more?

Part 3: Do you think the story might have been a little biased in the way it portrayed the Coast Guard? Is this possible?

(see the answer keys)

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