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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 accompanied Heyerdahl on the expedition?

2. What is Heyerdahl's native country?

3. What is the name of the chief god of the white men?

4. Where does Heyerdahl get a room?

5. Where does the current threaten to push the raft?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was the first observation that led Heyerdahl to develop the theory about the Pacific Islands?

2. How do the Polynesians record the history of their people?

3. What other story from Peruvian history mirrors that of the natives of the Pacific Islands?

4. What is the Guardian Rios? What is its purpose?

5. Why do the crew members establish rotating shifts? How is the plan organized?

6. How does Heyerdahl come to formulate the plan for the trip? What are the reactions of his friends and colleagues?

7. How do Heyerdahl and Watzinger procure the necessary items for their trip into the Andes?

8. How many trees are felled by the men? Why are the trees named before they are cut down?

9. What was the main similarity between the cultures that further convinced Heyerdahl?

10. Why was the translator of little use to Heyerdahl and Watzinger? What was the result?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Polynesians celebrate an oral history, told by Tei Tetua. Examine the tales told by Tei Tuta and how they affected Heyerdahl. Given the manner in which the stories were told, do you think they were accurate? Did the stories prove or disprove any of Heyerdahl's own theories? Were any of Tei Tetua's stories proven or disproved by the trip made by the Kon-Tiki?

Essay Topic 2

Before the Kon-Tiki set sail, many naval experts warned Heyerdahl and his crew about specific dangers out at sea. What do naval experts warn the crew about and does it come true? What did the naval experts get right? What was wrong about the opinions? Did the crew handle the disasters better or worse than expected?

Essay Topic 3

Once the crew has been rescued from the island, they have conversations with the tribal chief and vice-chief. Thor attempts to explain the purpose for the voyage, which leads to a discussion. What topic is discussed by Thor and Teka? What is Teka's reaction to Thor's theory? Is there a conflict? If so, how is it resolved? What is the final relationship between the crew and the natives?

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