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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. Why is Dr. Swenson angry with Barbara?

2. About what is Fox pleased?

3. What does Swenson almost do on the trail?

4. Who is Dr. Thomas Nkomo?

5. What does Marina do when she falls asleep?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Marina realize Swenson is nearly seventy?

2. Who are on the boat going to the trading post?

3. How does Swenson say Dr. Rapp would react to a ill or injured tribal member?

4. What is Swenson's philosophy about intervention in the lives of the tribes?

5. What has Marina been doing since performing the C section, and what does she want to do?

6. What else are the Martins good for besides fertility inducement?

7. How does Marina feels as the boat pulls up to the dock where the Lakashi are and how do they greet the arrivals?

8. Why does Marina perform surgery and how does it go?

9. Why is Dr. Nkomo in Brazil?

10. What does Easter do that upsets Marina and how does Swenson react?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of State of Wonder, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in State of Wonder. (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Oftentimes, a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think State of Wonder is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 3

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Marina and Dr. Swenson. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Anders and Jim Fox. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in State of Wonder help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

(see the answer keys)

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