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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 Callahan use from the radar reflector in order to help make a rain collector?

2. What color is the light by which Callahan eats when he successfully traps another dorado fish?

3. How many fish is Callahan able to catch, even though he is exhausted by his efforts, though his catch revives him?

4. What does Callahan realize he might need to do in order to hydrate himself if he can not get fresh water?

5. What does Callahan do with the space blanket? What does he decide to use it for now?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Callahan attempt to reinforce his cracked spearhead when he attempts to fish the next day after the incident with the dorado?

2. What does Callahan do to protect himself from a harsh landing on the rocky shore?

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

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

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

6. What does Callahan not have to worry about at night anymore now that the weather has turned warm?

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

8. What was the warning that Callahan's ex-wife had given him, which Callahan now recalls?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 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

Even though he is starving, Callahan points out that he is weary of killing fish to survive.

Part 1: Why do you think Callahan states that he is weary of killing fish around him?

Part 2: How do you think you would feel about killing animals if it were the only way you could get food?

Part 3: Do you think that Callahan is simply tired of working so hard to survive? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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