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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 shocks Nailer and Pima when they are on board the clipper?

2. Who is Sadna?

3. What happens when the duct suddenly squeaks and shakes?

4. What is one of the worse things that can happen to a member of the crew?

5. What is Patel Global?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Nailer feel when he sees Sadns emerging from the woods with his father?

2. What do Nailer and Pima learn about who Lucky Girl really is?

3. Describe the ritual of making the girl a crew member.

4. What do Nailer and Pima find in the jungle and what is their first reaction?

5. How does Nailer get out of the oil and the ship?

6. What type of mask does Nailer wear and who checks in with Nailer occasionally?

7. What are the few people's reaction that see Nailer immediately after he pops up to the water's surface and why do they react the way they do?

8. Why do the children work so hard when Bapi appears?

9. What is Nailer doing as the novel opens?

10. How does Nailer fee about Bright Sands?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In most hero stories, there is a scene known as "Atonement with the Father" in which the hero reconciles his past with his future. In order for Nailer to move on in his life, he had to confront the man who had tortured and pursued him throughout the novel.

1. Do you think Nailer could be called a hero? Why or why not? Use examples from your own life and Ship Breaker to support your reasoning.

2. How do you think killing his father will affect Nailer for the rest of his life? Use examples from your own life and Ship Breaker to support your reasoning.

3. What do you think Sadna meant when she said killing always costs? Use examples from your own life and Ship Breaker to support your reasoning.

Essay Topic 2

Over the course of Ship Breaker, Nailer grows as a person in both complexity and understanding. Ship Breaker might be considered a slice of Nailer's larger story of his "coming of age." It might be said that Ship Breaker is a "bildungsroman" of Nailer Lopez. Discuss the following:

1. Define Bildungsroman, or "Coming of Age," and give several examples from literature you have read.

2. Trace and analyze the character of Nailer as he changes from a more innocent boy to a wiser, young man. What are the significant events that change Nailer?

3. After thoroughly analyzing Nailer's growth throughout Ship Breaker, do you think Ship Breaker could be considered Nailer's Coming of Age story? Why or why not?

4. Are there any other characters in Ship Breaker who go through a Coming of Age experience? Who? Why do you think so?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. In your opinion, what are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss Ship Breaker based upon your criteria for a successful novel and judge if Ship Breaker is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for adults versus young adults? Why or why not? Would most adults consider Ship Breaker a successful novel? What about young teens?

(see the answer keys)

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