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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 does the captain tell Rutherford he must do, no matter what happens?

2. When Rutherford goes back up on deck after evaluating Baleka, which direction does he notice Ngonyama looking toward?

3. What does Rutherford's father, Riley, like to do after a long day of working?

4. When Ngonyama comes to bring Rutherford back on deck after the storm begins, how many passengers does Ngonyama tell Rutherford remain?

5. Whom does Diamelo threaten to kill for not understanding orders?

Short Essay Questions

1. After Rutherford finishes his dinner conversation with Falcon and returns to the deck, he observes Meadows wearing various people's clothes and imitating them while beating the dogs. Why is he doing this?

2. Rutherford tells Squibb about his brother and master. What reason does he give for Rev. Chandler deciding to keep him and Jackson, his brother, after Chandler inherited them from their father?

3. When the slaves are brought up from the hold, among them is a dead boy. Why does Meadows slice off the boy's ears before throwing the corpse overboard?

4. After the ceremony the Allmuseri hold to cleanse the ship after the uprising, what does Ngonyama send Rutherford to do?

5. When Ngonyama tells Rutherford that he would not harm the crew if he were master of the Republic, what reason does he give?

6. What is the attitude and behavior of Diamelo, one of the Allmuseri men who led the rebellion, towards the Americans?

7. After Rutherford is thrown into the water, he sees the Allmuseri grabbing onto wood and debris to stay afloat; however, they are still very close to the ship. What happens to nearly all of the Allmuseri when the ship goes below the surface?

8. After his discussion with Squibb, Rutherford goes back up on deck and sees Ngonyama looking out to sea toward Bangalang. What does this remind Rutherford of?

9. When Rutherford first awakens after fainting while feeding the Allmuseri god, Squibb is feeding him a piece of steak that turns out to be Cringle's flesh. How did Cringle wind up as Rutherford's dinner?

10. The night Rev. Chandler dies, he dismisses both brothers from his service. What does Rev. Chandler specifically tell Jackson about his efforts to help him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

During their first meeting, Captain Falcon told Rutherford that by the end of the trip he would be a "man's man." Did this prediction come true? Support your argument, for or against, with proof and examples from the text.

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast Isadora's and Rutherford's personalities, and explain why the differences in their personalities made their attraction to each other so powerful. Back up your arguments with examples from the text.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast Zeringue's unsuccessful attempt to blackmail Rutherford into marrying Isadora in the beginning of the novel with Rutherford's successful attempt to blackmail Zeringue into canceling his wedding to Isadora so that Rutherford can marry her, and analyze why Rutherford was successful where Zeringue was not. Use the text as evidence of your arguments.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 784 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample