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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 Milton say Barbara and Jackie show off?

2. Who is Josh Su?

3. What does Swenson say about Vogel?

4. How does Marina feel in the opera box after the discovery that Dr. Swenson is there?

5. What does Marina throw away at the airport?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Who else shops at the store where Milton takes Marina and what does Marina wonder about the other foreigners?

3. Who is Mr. Fox and how does he react to the news about Anders Eckman?

4. Describe Marina's visit to the opera.

5. What does Fox explain about Dr. Swenson?

6. What is Marina and Fox's relationship like and how does he act when he comes to her house the night before she leaves?

7. How does Easter seem when he sees Marina and why did Milton bring Easter along?

8. Who is Anders Eckman and what does Marina just learn about him?

9. What does the letter from Dr. Swenson say about Anders Eckman?

10. Why does Marina go into the river and how does she feel about it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think State of Wonder is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

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

There are a number of interesting questions raised by State of Wonder. Questions that Patchett most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Patchett' agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Patchett' probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Patchett and see if/where his life may have influenced his writing.

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