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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. The friend previously engaged in what profession?

2. What breaks at the beginning of the trip?

3. What is Heyerdahl's profession?

4. What is the whale shark's preferred meal?

5. The poisonous creatures keep away which insects?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is the purpose Heyerdahl presents his manuscript to Carl? What is Carl's authority?

3. Under what circumstances does Heyerdahl meet Colonel Haskin? How does the meeting benefit Heyerdahl?

4. What two things did the naval experts warn Heyerdahl about before the trip?

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

6. What unusual fish is observed from the raft? What becomes of the fish?

7. Herman is given a pet before the Kon-Tiki sets sail. What is the pet and what happens to it?

8. While aboard the Kon-Tiki, one of the crew members suffers from an ailment. What is the ailment? Which crew member suffers? What is done to help?

9. What is Peter Freuchen's opinion on the updated expedition equipment? Explain.

10. What is the Peruvian President's interest in the expedition? Does the president help or hinder the expedition?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the purpose of the trip to Guayaquil? Was Guayaquil the appropriate spot for the mission? Describe the climate and general atmosphere of Guayaquil along with its location and overview of its culture. Explain the level of success of the mission and state the reasons for the opinion.

Essay Topic 2

There are several cases of foreshadowing used in the book. At least two involve the forthcoming incident of a man going overboard. Was the foreshadowing entirely correct? What actually happened? What was the outcome of the events? Who was involved in each event?

Essay Topic 3

Much of the weather in the South Seas had gone unreported, often leaving the crew in the dark as to what to expect. Why is this true? Why was it important for the crew to report the weather? To who was the weather reported? What became of the information? How might it benefit future sailors?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 749 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample