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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 McFarlane's pet theory that is revealed in Chapter 25?

2. For what reason is it revealed in Chapter 9 Captain Britton went to rehab?

3. What is the name of the Thomas Cole painting Palmer Lloyd loves the most of all his rare and valuable belongings, as described in Chapter 5?

4. In Chapter 39, what does the letter Vallenar reads tell him about the Rolvaag's mining expedition on Isla Desolacion?

5. What is the name of the channel where the Rolvaag lowers its anchor during the recovery of the meteorite?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where does Glinn find Captain Britton? How does this pertain to her decision to take the job he has offered her?

2. Who arrives on the Rolvaag via helicopter in Chapter 20? What is the purpose of this visit?

3. Why does Glinn's team make an effort to make the ship they are preparing for the expedition look older than it really is?

4. What is being auction at a Christie's auction house in Chapter 3? What is unusual about the buyer?

5. What causes the computers on the island to fail? What is found in the tunnel with the meteorite?

6. What does a native man find on Isla Desolacion when paddles there in Chapter 2? What does he do about it?

7. Why does Glinn gather his team and suggest they end the expedition in Chapter 35? Do they?

8. What does McFarlane use to create a demonstration of what happens to the ground when a meteorite falls from the sky? Why does McFarlane put on this demonstration? What is the reaction of his audience?

9. What does Masangkay anticipate will be the rewards for discovering a unique meteorite on the Isla Desolacion? Who does he wish to pay back?

10. What causes a near collision in Chapter 18 with the Rolvaag? What does this suggest about the dangers of the expedition?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How do the writers of this novel structure their novel? For what reason? What benefit is there in super short chapters? What benefit is there in multiple view points? How are these elements a deterrent to the comprehension of the novel? How do the writers reveal the true nature of the meteorite? Why does it take the characters so long to figure out the nature of the meteorite? How do the writers use this method of revelation to build suspense in the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Who is Britton? What was the nature of the scandal that discredited her as a ships captain? Was Britton guilty of the crime she was accused of? Was Britton unfairly treated for some reason? Explain. Why does Glinn chose Britton as the captain of the Rolvaag? Why does Britton take the job? For what reason is Britton's career important to her at this point in her life? What fear does Britton continuously express while on board the Rolvaag? What drink does Britton ban from the Rolvaag? How does the crew react to this? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Who is Masangkay? What is he doing on this isolated island? What is he hoping to find? What does he find? Why does he touch it? What is the weather like when Masangkay finds this item? Does this have an impact on what happens when Masangkay touches this item? What is it later revealed Masangkay's cause of death was? How does this relate to the description of Masangkay's death in the first chapter? What warning does Masangkay's death give to the reader?

(see the answer keys)

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