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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 suddenly mixed in with the water Callahan has been trying to collect in the canopy?

2. What does Callahan lose as the raft begins to swirl around in a circle as he is attempting to navigate?

3. At dinner, Callahan eats a large amount of ____________ food, surprising everyone with the appetite he has.

4. What does Callahan believe to be possible about the warmer climes he is now encountering on his trip?

5. What is the new color that Callahan can now see when he is looking out onto the horizon?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to the boat as a result of the fish fighting with Callahan during his attempts to catch it?

2. How does Callahan attempt to plot his likely course as he begins to recover from his illness?

3. How does Callahan finally fix the hole that has been ruining the solar still that he tries to use?

4. What is becoming harder for Callahan to complete after he has fixed the breach in the boat?

5. What does Callahan decide he needs to banish from his mind if he is to survive in the boat?

6. What is the first sign of land what Callahan sees when he wakes up during the night on April 20th?

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

8. How had the fishermen come to find Callahan's boat in the water?

9. What is the relationship that Callahan suddenly imagines with the dorado fish as they move past his boat?

10. What does Callahan do to celebrate the sight of land in the distance?

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

Callahan describes sailing as a sort of religious calling for him, when he makes one his first entries in his journal.

Part 1: Why do you think Callahan decides to document his experiences?

Part 2: Why do you think sailing could be a sort of a religious call for some people?

Part 3: Do you feel you are called to do something specific in your life? What is this calling?

Essay Topic 3

Callahan's struggle to survive causes him to react instinctively when things go wrong.

Part 1: Why do you think the brain is able to continue to do things which will support human life?

Part 2: How do you think your body and mind might react if you were suddenly in a survival situation?

Part 3: Why do you think Callahan doesn't always trust in his survival instincts at first?

(see the answer keys)

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