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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 improvise with a length of tubing, a part of the blanket, and some twine?

2. What is Callahan sitting in for days since the boat continues to have problems with taking on water?

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

4. What was the name of Callahan's ex-wife, who he remembers on what would have been another wedding anniversary?

5. What is polluting the water which is being captured in the solar still, according to Callahan's observations?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Over time, Callahan begins to refer to the fishes around him as his friends and companions on his journey.

Part 1: Why do you think Callahan begins to see the fish as his friends?

Part 2: How do you think Callahan rationalizes the killing of the fish in order to provide him food?

Part 3: Do you think all humans instinctively seek out companionship? Why?

Essay Topic 2

Callahan immediately wonders what supplies he did not take with him when he has to move onto his life raft.

Part 1: Why do you think Callahan didn't have his supplies readily available to him?

Part 2: What else might you have taken for supplies if you were in Callahan's situation?

Part 3: How do you think Callahan did with the supplies that he did take from the boat? Did he do well or not?

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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