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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. Who helps Phillip into his life jacket when their boat is sinking?

2. In Chapter 6, where does Phillip think he and Timothy will be better off?

3. In Chapter 6, what does Timothy tell Phillip a man can do in these waters?

4. Who sends the S.S. Empire Tern to the island?

5. What does Phillip hide under his makeshift bed on the couch?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Phillip's family move to Curacao?

2. At the beginning of the book, what do Phillip and Henrik find when they visit the harbor against their mothers' wishes?

3. In Chapter 6, what happens that causes Phillip to fall off the raft into the water?

4. What does Timothy say the island he spots looks like?

5. What activity do Phillip and Henrik often engage in when they visit the harbor?

6. When the S.S. Empire Tern is sunk, what does Philip realize about the crew that was on board?

7. During their conversation about the war, why does Henrik seem to Phillip to be so knowledgeable about the goings on of the military?

8. Why does Timothy order Phillip to crawl around the raft, not walk?

9. At noon on Phillip's and Timothy's third day on the raft, what does Timothy do for Phillip as a plane passes overhead?

10. Why is the S.S. Hato sailing to Panama before going to Miami?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Define the term "protagonist." How does Phillip fit the definition of a protagonist? What characteristics of a protagonist does he have? Is Timothy also a protagonist? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

There are several instances of racism in The Cay. Name three different characters or groups of people who display racism. Who are they? Whom do they dislike? What do they do or say?

Essay Topic 3

There are many examples of symbolism in The Cay. Name five of these symbols and discuss what each of them represents. Use specific examples from the book.

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