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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 meal are they served for breakfast the first morning?

2. How are they told they must get to Singapore?

3. What does Jean learn from Strachan?

4. What does Jean ask Harman if he can get for them?

5. What doe the Japanese soldiers do to help the group?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Jean's reaction to the news of her inheritance?

2. What is lacking in Jean's education that Strachan enjoys supplementing?

3. What is Eileen Holland's attitude when her daughter Jane dies?

4. Describe the historical situation that brings about Jean's unusual history?

5. Why is Strachan more or less retired?

6. How does Shute show there is compassion among the Japanese?

7. What is the Japanese solution for dealing with the women and children?

8. Who is the first casualty of the march and what effect does it have on the children.

9. Why is headman Mat Amin bin Taib surprised at Jean's request for food?

10. How does Strachan arrange to meet Jean Paget?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay about responding to emergency situations. Using the rescue of Don Curtis as an example, include how people often come together to solve problems during an emergency situation. Some examples might include ones like a man who lifts a car to rescue his child when under normal circumstances he could not do it. Either personalize your essay with an example when you responded to an emergency situation or that of a person you know who acted on impulse in such a situation. Apply your theme to being prepared to respond like taking CPR classes or water safety classes.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay on the importance of gathering facts and making plans before attempting a project. Use Jean Paget and Mr. Strachan in your essay as examples. Do not forget to mention the planning that went into his trip to Australia. Make this essay a comment on the potential pitfalls of impulsive action. Some examples you might want to use include people who go out in boats without flotation devices, hikers who go out without water and first aid supplies, etc.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay about interesting animals. Use wallabies and jackaroos as examples of animals that are uncommon to everyone except people in Australia. Include unusual animals you would like to see in their natural habitat rather than in a zoo. Conclude your essay with a scientific reason for preservation of wildlife as it relates to worldwide ecosystems.

(see the answer keys)

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