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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. Who does Marina call when she arrives at her hotel?
2. What does Marina throw away at the airport?
3. For how long has Anders been dead when Marina receives a letter from the Amazon?
4. Where is Marina going with the Bovenders the following night after her illness?
5. What does Fox want to do?
Short Essay Questions
1. What is Marina and Fox's relationship like and how does he act when he comes to her house the night before she leaves?
2. What does the letter from Dr. Swenson say about Anders Eckman?
3. How does Easter seem when he sees Marina and why did Milton bring Easter along?
4. What does Marina feel about the river?
5. What does Marina tell Fox when she calls him the night after the opera and what is his reply?
6. What does Marina do when Barbara show her Dr. Swenson's mailbox?
7. What does Milton say to Marina about the Bovenders?
8. Describe Marina's parents.
9. What do Marina and the Bovenders discuss concerning Anders Eckman?
10. What does Marina deduce about Dr. Swenson and the Lakashi tribe?
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 State of Wonder help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading State of Wonder? Why or why not.
3. Choose one specific incident in State of Wonder 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 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.
Essay Topic 3
Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:
1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?
2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of State of Wonder and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why State of Wonder is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.
3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?
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This section contains 1,111 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |
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