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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 was the toughest part of the challenge to learn Icelandic for Daniel?

2. What method do many pi enthusiasts use to memorize pi's infinite string of digits?

3. Who did Daniel help with advice on learning Romanian?

4. When Daniel has an interview with the Voluntary Services Overseas organization, what is his main goal in doing so?

5. In what city did Daniel meet with Kim Peek?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Daniel's state of mind as he recited pi for an audience for more than five hours.

2. Why was Daniel unhappy and somewhat anxious when the producers first revealed to him their choice of language he would learn?

3. Scientists are beginning to question whether Daniel's ability with language extends to other forms of language, such as sign language. What happens when he is tested for this?

4. How did Daniel prepare himself for the airplane flight to California?

5. When Daniel returns to his family's new home after a year in Lithuania, why must he readjust to living there?

6. Why did Daniel spend his first weekend in Kaunas inside his new apartment?

7. Why does Daniel want to do a fundraiser for the Epilepsy Society?

8. What aspects of language does Daniel find more difficult than others to understand?

9. During his training for Volunteer Services, what were the main learning goals for Daniel and the class?

10. Why do you think the woman who interviewed Daniel at the Volunteer Services Overseas office might have thought he was a perfect candidate to teach English overseas?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Daniel was part of a large family. Did this in any way help him? How? What might he have learned from his siblings? What could he have taught them?

Essay Topic 2

Consider Daniel's imaginary friend, Anne.

1) Why did he need to make her and others up in his mind?

2) How real does it seem that they appear to be to him?

3) Why does he have Anne leave him and say she is dying?

Essay Topic 3

Although he doesn't go into great detail about it, Daniel was teased and bullied throughout school. What sort of things probably happened to him? How does he cope with the bullying? Does he believe it had an effect on his personality?

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This section contains 898 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample