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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 is the destination that Callahan aims for since he does not want to end up having to sail for 30 more days?

2. What does Callahan catch, despite his weakness from the vomiting after drinking the water?

3. Once the temperatures have turned warm, Callahan has no more fears of ___________ taking hold at night.

4. Which of the tubes in the life raft begins to deflate as a result of the fish's actions on the side of the boat?

5. Where does Callahan want to go in order to get his mail before he flies back to Maine?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the new source of food that Callahan finds which he has not seen in a while on his journey?

2. What happens when the dorado that Callahan tries to catch struggles with him during the process?

3. What happens to the raft as the winds begin to pick up around the raft as Callahan tries to navigate?

4. What can't Callahan do because of his declining health and hydration, even though he is filled with heartbreak?

5. What is able to help Callahan replenish his water supply for a bit while the stills continue to be temperamental?

6. Who does Callahan suddenly imagine as his crew when he begins to see that fish is not going to sate him anymore?

7. What does Callahan do when he realizes that he may be about two weeks from land?

8. What does Callahan decide he wants to eat when he is in the hospital, refusing other types of nourishment?

9. What are the three parts in which Callahan decides his mind has been split into as a result of this trip on the sea?

10. What does Callahan miss most about the early days of his new journey on the seas alone?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Several times, it seems that Callahan might have been able to be rescued from his boat.

Part 1: Why do you think that Callahan's continued efforts to signal were not seen or heard?

Part 2: Is there anything else that Callahan could have done to be noticed? Why or why not?

Part 3: Do you think Callahan had the right tools in order to be noticed in the Atlantic Ocean?

Essay Topic 2

When Callahan is faced with sickness, this could have resulted in the end of his life without the proper medical equipment.

Part 1: Why do you think Callahan is able to overcome his illnesses?

Part 2: Do you think another person might not have been able to overcome this illness that Callahan faces?

Part 3: How do you think Callahan could have avoided illness on the boat?

Essay Topic 3

From the beginning, it seems that Callahan did not anticipate his boat capsizing, as all of his supplies were stored in the lower parts of the boat, out of reach.

Part 1: Do you think that Callahan was well prepared for his trans-Atlantic journey?

Part 2: How else do you think Callahan could have prepared for the journey across the ocean?

Part 3: Do you think it's better to prepare for the worst or assume everything will work out well?

(see the answer keys)

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