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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 did Rik pay Gantos with in Section 2, Chapter 1?

2. What is the largest of the Virgin islands?

3. After grounding the boat, Hamilton and Gantos were allowed ashore where they were able to _________.

4. In what city in Florida did Gantos finish high school?

5. Where is San Juan located?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Gantos's low point in Section 1, Chapter 4. What did Gantos do during this time?

2. How is Hamilton's knowledge of Gantos and his fears described in Section 2, Chapter 3?

3. Where did Gantos go after being kicked out of the Bacons' home?

4. What did Gantos learn from Hamilton along the journey in Section 2, Chapter 3?

5. What led Hamilton and Gantos to follow the Coast Guard in Section 2, Chapter 3?

6. How does the author describe the cover photo from the book in Section 1, Chapter 1? What circumstances does he relate which caused his acne?

7. Where did Gantos go after he was betrayed by Scanlon? What did he contemplate?

8. What was the second business deal Gantos made with Rik in Section 2, Chapter 1? Why did he take the offer?

9. Where did Gantos's family send him to finish high school? Why did he leave this home?

10. How was Gantos inspired by the writing of Jack Kerouac in Section 1, Chapter 4?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Ernest Hemingway and John Hersey and their influence on Jack Gantos. When did each of these authors live and what were their major works? How did Gantos compare himself to Hersey, and why did he consider himself a coward?

Essay Topic 2

Define, identify and analyze the foreshadowing in Section 2, Chapter 4. What sense did Gantos and Hamilton get upon realizing their boat had been moved? How does the author use this incident to raise suspense in the narrative?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and analyze the figure of Tim Scanlon in the narrative. From where did Gantos know Scanlon? What influence did Scanlon have on Gantos? How did Gantos feel about him? What plan did Scanlon present in order to potentially "help" Gantos?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 944 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample