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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. In Part 1, Chapter 1, the main character tells about his experience in which location?

2. The author uses the animals as symbols of what?

3. As Pi was learning about Islam, he visited a Muslim shopkeeper. Which of the following statements is true?

4. According to Pi's father, what kind of an environment do animals seek?

5. What did Richard Parker kill while Pi was building the raft?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Part 1, Chapter 7, Pi discusses his teacher, Mr. Kumar. How are they similar and different?

2. What does the closing sentence of Part 1, Chapter 35 foreshadow?

3. How does Part 1, Chapter 21 set the reader up for the remainder of the story?

4. In Part 1, Chapter 31, what do Mr. Kumar and Mr. Kumar represent in terms of Pi?

5. The zebra and Orange Juice are killed in Part 2, Chapter 47, and symbolize what?

6. How did Pi get his name?

7. In Part 2, Chapter 54, Pi worried about what to do with the tiger. Discuss his conclusions.

8. How is the lion in the zoo in Part 1, Chapter 13 an example of the well-defined social order of animals?

9. In Part 1, Chapter 23, the author discusses the "three wise men." Who are they?

10. How did Satish Kumar influence Pi's studies?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At many times in the book, Pi nears death, as he runs low on food and the will to live. Using specific examples from the book, discuss some of these events and what Pi learns about himself through the events.

Essay Topic 2

Both the raft and the lifeboat prove critical to Pi's success, but in different ways. Discuss why it was important to Pi's mind to have both the raft and the lifeboat. What would have happened if Pi had never been able to make the raft? What if Pi had lost the lifeboat?

Essay Topic 3

When Pi finds the first island, he leaves it out of fear of the island being cannibalistic. Discuss what the symbolism of this island is to Pi and to the overall story.

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