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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. Slocum was able to right his course once again and was pleased to log approximately ___ miles per day.

2. Slocum had always longed to be a:

3. Slocum was pleased to be able to make an excursion to which major metropolitan city?

4. What was the name of the first boat co-owned by Slocum?

5. In what year was Slocum born?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain at least one meeting with members of the British Navy.

2. Describe Slocum's meeting with Capt. Howard and the subsequent trip to Buenos Aires.

3. Many people were concerned about Slocum's inexperience on the open sea. Explain the point of view of the people and Slocum's attitude.

4. Discuss Slocum's trip to Juan Fernandez.

5. Name at least one of the options being considered by Slocum while he was in Boston.

6. Who is Ebenezer Pierce? How did the man affect Slocum's future?

7. Chapter 1 begins with Slocum in Nova Scotia. How is the Canadian province described?

8. Discuss the events encountered by Slocum immediately after departing from Brazil.

9. Detail Slocum's first encounter with thieves and bandits. Discuss how the author outwitted a pirate.

10. Examine Slocum's next encounter with savages.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Joshua Slocum was compared to several different famous explorers including Columbus. Choose two famous explorers and compare them to Slocum. What routes did they take? What similarities were there between the men? Which had the most experience? Which was the most successful? Which took the longest voyage? Include details of at least one major undertaking of each explorer.

Essay Topic 2

Slocum seemed destined to find the Spray. Explore the scenario surrounding the purchase of the oyster boat. Where did Slocum find it? Who was its owner? What was the general opinion of the townspeople when it was learned that Slocum had purchased the old boat? How much did it cost? Was it a good deal? Did Slocum see something in the boat that others could not? What possessed Slocum to commit to such an undertaking? What did Slocum need to do in order to repair the boat and ensure that it was seaworthy? Did Slocum have the necessary skills to do the work? What was the next step?

Essay Topic 3

Slocum stayed in many different ports during his journey. Examine Slocum's choice to remain in the ports. Why would Slocum choose to spend so much time in some of the ports? Was it necessary? What might have prompted Slocum to stay if there was no need? Where did Slocum spend the most amount of time? Why? What did Slocum learn while he was at the various ports? How was Slocum received? What was the general opinion of the Spray? Explain.

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