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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. While Callahan was once a fiercely independent man, he now understands man to be a _________ animal.

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

3. The drying stores of meat in the boat sag down to the floor, causing them to turn rancid because of the _____________.

4. What jumps into Callahan's raft and he tries to use it for bait, though it is unsuccessful?

5. What remained inflated with the new sticky gum fix that Callahan comes up with during his ill state?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Callahan try to lure other fish to his boat in order to catch more food for his stockpile?

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

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

5. What does Callahan finally realize about the way a man's life is measured in terms of its worth to others?

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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