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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 happens at Valdivia?

2. What does Darwin see from the Blue Mountains?

3. What do Darwin and some crew members walk on when they visit the island of San Pedro?

4. On his second attempt, what is Capt. Fitz Roy able to navigate successfully?

5. Where is the Beagle after passing through the Strait of Magellan?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain the problem of distance perception and atmospheric effects in the mountains.

2. Tell about the runaway sailors at the Chonos Archipelago.

3. What is Darwin's journal entry as they leave New Zealand?

4. What evidence does Darwin find that sea beds are raised by nature to great heights?

5. Tell about Capt. Fitz Roy's talk with Patagonians before making it through the Magdalen Channel.

6. How does Darwin react to Mauritius, known at that time as the Isle of France?

7. How does Darwin describe the dress of the Chilean miner?

8. Explain Darwin's observations in the Galapagos that will later influence his scientific theories.

9. Tell what Darwin sees back off the coast of Chile and how he assesses the sight.

10. Describe Darwin's disappointment at the saltpeter mine.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay about returning home after a long journey or vacation. Define the feelings of being in familiar surroundings and sleeping in your own bed. Compare with Darwin's anxious desire to return to England after five years on the Beagle.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay comparing the hardships of exploring the earth in the mid 1880s to the hardships of space exploration today. Compare such things as cramped living conditions, facing the unknown, and dietary changes that go along with each type of exploration. Speculate how much different space travel may become in the next 100 years by comparing with the improvements in travel since the voyage of the Beagle.

Essay Topic 3

Write a critique of THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. In the critique discuss the writer's style, use of language, and ability to make the reading interesting. End the critique by your recommendation for people to read or not read this book.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 948 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample