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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Tom feel about school?
(a) It is important.
(b) It is a privilege.
(c) It is exciting.
(d) It is boring.

2. How long do Thomas' sons plan to visit him on the island?
(a) 5 weeks.
(b) 3 months.
(c) 3 weeks.
(d) 5 days.

3. What does Eddy think might attract predators to the reef?
(a) Low tide.
(b) Blood.
(c) Humans.
(d) The dinghy.

4. Why does Thomas say painting is less lonely than writing?
(a) It is visible.
(b) It is engulfing.
(c) It is easily walked away from.
(d) It is tangible.

5. How does Thomas think a good book should be written?
(a) Quickly.
(b) Tragically.
(c) Honestly.
(d) Methodically.

6. What does Thomas' second oldest son remind Thomas of when he first sees him?
(a) A dog.
(b) A cat.
(c) A duck.
(d) An otter.

7. What does the black boy in the bar want to give the crying woman he sees?
(a) A book.
(b) Conch pearls.
(c) Alcohol.
(d) A lei of flowers.

8. Who does the yachtsman yell at after he gets fully dressed?
(a) Richard.
(b) Robert.
(c) Rupert.
(d) Roger.

9. What happens when David finally reels the large fish into the boat?
(a) It breaks the net and gets away.
(b) David gets scared and drops the fishing pole.
(c) It gets loose from the hook and sinks.
(d) He drops it back in the ocean before it dies.

10. Which of Thomas' sons is the smart one?
(a) Tom.
(b) David.
(c) Andy.
(d) Jake.

11. Who talks back to the man who complains about the flare gun being shot?
(a) Bobby.
(b) Fred.
(c) The yachtsman.
(d) Thomas.

12. What do the boys plan to use to catch fish on their first time out on the boat?
(a) Spears.
(b) Their hands.
(c) Nets.
(d) Fish hooks.

13. Where does Roger leave his girlfriend when he breaks up with her?
(a) On a train.
(b) In a hotel.
(c) At a restaurant.
(d) At an amusement park.

14. Why does Thomas divorce his second wife?
(a) He can't stand living with women.
(b) She was cheating on him.
(c) She was cruel to him.
(d) He got very depressed.

15. What do Roger and Thomas do while the boys are sleeping?
(a) Fight.
(b) Talk.
(c) Work.
(d) Drink.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Thomas' occupation at the beginning of the book?

2. What is the occupation of Thomas' first wife?

3. What does Thomas think about when his boys are asleep after the shark incident?

4. What color is the sand on the island that Thomas lives on at the beginning of the book?

5. Where does Tom previously live with his mother and father?

(see the answer keys)

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