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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 is Patel Global?

2. To what does Nailer attribute his feelings about Bright Sands Beach?

3. For how many days does the storm rage?

4. What happens when Nailer presses the knife against the rich girl?

5. What does Nailer watch as he lies down outside the tanker after work?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where is Nailer crawling when he goes back end and what does he think of concerning Jackson Boy?

2. What does Nailer think about clipper ships?

3. Why does Nailer fear for his livelihood, and what gives him some hope?

4. What does Nailer do and what is the work like?

5. What happens during the storm and immediately in the aftermath of the storm?

6. How does Nailer fare in the oil when he falls into a pool of it?

7. How does the girl try to ensure that Nailer and Pima will not change their minds and kill her?

8. What does the girl ask Nailer when she wakes and what is his reaction?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as Ship Breaker help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading Ship Breaker? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in Ship Breaker to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 2

Characters are an important part of what makes Ship Breaker interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Nailer. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he always likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Pima. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Richard. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

The religion of the jungle is deeply explored with almost every character having an opinion about the Luck that has been bestowed on Nailer.

1. Do you think humans will always make up religion in some form whenever they are in a group? Why or why not? Use examples from your own life and Ship Breaker to support your reasoning.

2. Discuss the ways in which Nailer's life was influenced by what he considers to be balance? Use examples from your own life and Ship Breaker to support your reasoning.

3. Discuss the reasons you think so many dangerous organizations came out of what was obviously an apocalyptic event in the world. Use examples from your own life and Ship Breaker to support your reasoning.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,276 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample