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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. How does Milton inadvertently prove the Bovenders to be lying?

2. Where is Marina going with the Bovenders the following night after her illness?

3. For how long has Anders been dead when Marina receives a letter from the Amazon?

4. According to the Bovenders, how does Dr. Swenson view her apartment?

5. What is Lariam?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Marina's visit to the opera.

2. What does Marina feel about the river?

3. What does Marina tell Fox when she calls him the night after the opera and what is his reply?

4. What happens when Marina and Fox go to talk with Karen Eckman?

5. How does Milton inadvertently prove the Bovenders to be lying to Marina?

6. What does Marina do when Barbara show her Dr. Swenson's mailbox?

7. What does Marina think of Swenson's apartment and why does the doctor maintain it?

8. Describe the conversation at the cafe between Marina and Dr. Swenson about Anders.

9. How does Dr. Swenson react when she realizes Marina intends to come to the jungle with her?

10. Who is Milton and how does he help Marina when she lands in Manaus?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

1. What is foreshadow? How many incidences of foreshadow are in State of Wonder? How does foreshadow contribute to a book's suspense?

2. Discuss an example of foreshadow in State of Wonder including why you believe it is foreshadow. Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

3. How do you think most people react to uncertainty in their lives? Use examples from State of Wonder and your own live to support your opinion.

Essay Topic 2

Had it not been for Barbara, however, Anders would likely have perished in the jungle. Swenson's own preoccupation with her own issues could have cost a man his life. Marina's decision to go after Anders is one made of responsibility and dedication, and although Marina knows she will likely perish, she also knows this is the entire reason she came to the jungle. Now clear on her ethical standards, she knows that to leave Anders behind would be impossible for her to live with.

1. Discuss what the above paragraph says to you about Swenson's character. Use examples from the story and your own life to support your answer.

2. Explain why you think Marina is or is not a true heroine. Use examples from the story and your own life to support your answer.

3. Marina seems to think the whole reason she ended up in the jungle was to save Anders. This seems she is saying it was her destiny. Discuss you views on destiny in relation to Marina's idea about the purpose for which she came to the jungle. Use examples from the story and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Characters are an important part of what makes State of Wonder interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Marina. 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.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Dr. Swenson. 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 Jim Fox. 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.

(see the answer keys)

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