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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. How does Phillip know when it is late May?

2. What does Phillip cover Timothy with when he shivers due to his illness?

3. While on the island, what serious illness does Timothy come down with?

4. In Chapter 13, what does Timothy tell Phillip that Phillip must do?

5. In Chapter 11, what does Timothy tell Phillip he was doing on the north shore?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Timothy contracts malaria, why isn't Phillip able to stop him from leaving the campsite and going to the beach?

2. In Chapter 11, why does Phillip become nervous about Stew Cat's safety in Timothy's company?

3. What does the hut Timothy builds on the island look like?

4. Why does Timothy decide to teach Phillip how to fish?

5. How do Phillip and Timothy mark the passing of time on the island?

6. Where does Timothy take Phillip to teach him to fish?

7. In Chapter 13, after Phillip learns to fish, what evidence is there that Phillip is growing more confident?

8. What is the Devil's Mouth?

9. In Chapter 7, what makes Phillip believe Timothy is holding something back from him as he tells Phillip about the island they are on and their prospects of being rescued?

10. After the hut is blown away in the tempest, what does Timothy do to protect Phillip from the storm?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Phillip change from an innocent to a more worldly character during the course of the novel? What events lead to the change? Does he maintain any of his innocence? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

What point of view is The Cay told from? Why do you think the author chose this point of view? Would another point of view have been as effective? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

There are two major settings in The Cay. What are they? How do each of these settings affect the storyline and Phillip? Would another setting, such as a modern-day setting, have been as effective in developing Phillip's character? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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