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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 was the official occupation of John Slocum?

2. What is the name of the province where Slocum was born?

3. What gift did the captain present to Slocum?

4. What location was Slocum approaching when he just missed a shipwreck?

5. The man was which type of captain?

Short Essay Questions

1. Discuss some of the issues encountered by Slocum after leaving Buenos Aires.

2. Discuss Slocum's interaction with the crew of the Colombia.

3. Many people were concerned about Slocum's inexperience on the open sea. Explain the point of view of the people and Slocum's attitude.

4. Detail Slocum's first encounter with thieves and bandits. Discuss how the author outwitted a pirate.

5. Although the townspeople were amused by Slocum's ambitions, the author saw a different side of the boat. What plans did Slocum have for the Spray?

6. How did Slocum's fortune change as the Spray approached Cape Horn?

7. After leaving Port Tamar, Slocum encountered more issues with the weather. Explain the issues and Slocum's decision on how to move forward.

8. How does Joshua Slocum describe the people of Nova Scotia?

9. Slocum talks about an omen that confirmed his ambitions for the Spray. What was the omen?

10. Discuss Slocum's trip to Juan Fernandez.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

On several occasions Slocum was faced with people who harbored age old beliefs and superstitions. Choose at least three incidents, explain the belief or superstition, and how it was handled by Slocum. Did Slocum attempt to educate the people or allow them to believe what they wanted to believe in order to keep the peace or save face? Which is the most commonly held misconception? How could Slocum convince the people of the truth?

Essay Topic 2

Joshua Slocum was compared to several different famous explorers including Columbus. Choose two famous explorers and compare them to Slocum. What routes did they take? What similarities were there between the men? Which had the most experience? Which was the most successful? Which took the longest voyage? Include details of at least one major undertaking of each explorer.

Essay Topic 3

At one point in the story Slocum says that the sea is in his blood. What does Slocum mean when he says that the sea is in his blood? What did Slocum's father and grandfather do for a living? Do you believe a profession can be in some way inherited? How old was Slocum when he realized that he was destined to devote himself to the sea? What was the opinion of Slocum's father? Was the family supportive of Slocum's choices? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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