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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 does Tool decide to do?

2. What does Nailer do when they are aboard the train?

3. Why doesn't Captain Candless believe it is the ship whose name Tool recognizes?

4. What does Pyce think Nita will do for him?

5. What does Pyce seek?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the chase scene and the possible consequences.

2. What happens between Nailer and his father in the engine room?

3. How is Tool removed from being their guardian?

4. Describe the initial boarding of the Pole Star by the Dauntless crew.

5. What surprises Nailer when they arrive at the mansion and who does Nailer find inside?

6. What does Captain Candless do after hearing Nailer's story?

7. What does Nailer think about his position while the Dauntless is chasing the Ray?

8. What do they learn from Tool about Nita's kidnapping?

9. Why does Nailer risk going into Blue Eye's shack and what does he do there?

10. How does the Dauntless fall into a trap and what seems to be the best way to get out of it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in Ship Breaker. Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Bacigalupi chooses the symbols he does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Bacigalupi chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Bacigalupi's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, clifthangers, deux ex machina, etc...), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Bacigalupi use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in Ship Breaker.

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of Ship Breaker. How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of Ship Breaker. How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

Essay Topic 3

1. What is foreshadow? How many incidences of foreshadow are in Ship Breaker? How does foreshadow contribute to a book's suspense?

2. Discuss an example of foreshadow in Ship Breaker including why you believe it is foreshadow. Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

3. How do you think most people react to uncertainty in their lives? Use examples from Ship Breaker and your own live to support your opinion.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,333 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample