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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 Marina's nightmares concern when she is younger?

2. What is the Bovenders' connection with Dr. Swenson?

3. What does Fox mimic doing?

4. What gives Marina horrible nightmares?

5. What does Milton say Barbara and Jackie show off?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Marina begin taking in preparation for travel to Brazil and what does Karen remember in relation to Lariam?

2. What does Karen say to Marina when Marina stops by to say goodbye?

3. What is Fox concerned about and how is his concern proven to be valid?

4. Who are the Bovenders and where does Marina encounter them?

5. Describe Marina's parents.

6. What do Marina and the Bovenders discuss concerning Anders Eckman?

7. How does Milton inadvertently prove the Bovenders to be lying to Marina?

8. What does Milton say to Marina about the Bovenders?

9. Describe the conversation at the cafe between Marina and Dr. Swenson about Anders.

10. What does Fox explain about Dr. Swenson?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Marina made a bad mistake during residency, not listening to her supervising physician and rushing a C section. Her actions in the hospital on the night of the botched C section were primarily caused not by her lack of skill, as she was well trained, but instead simply by a carelessness brought about because of her concerns that she had fallen in the eyes of her mentor. Marina clearly thought of Swenson as a mentor, but also elevated her to almost hero status. When she failed her, she was distracted, and as a result, made a profound mistake. Although forgiven by the mother and father of the blinded child, and also by the board, who allowed her to keep her residency, Marina was never able to forgive herself. She quit the program to avoid having to face Swenson and the others who knew of her mistake. She divorced her husband, in part, to distance herself from him and the friends who knew of the accident.

1. Do you think Marina had good reason to quit her residency program? Why or why not? Use examples from the story and your own life to support your answer.

2. Discuss the reasons you see for Marina divorcing her husband and cutting off relationships with friends she knew when she botched the C section. Use examples from the story and your own life to support your answer.

3. Do you think it is more difficult to learn from or perform for a teacher or mentor you idolize than one about whom you feel no such big feelings? Why or why not? Use examples from the story and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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