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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. Callahan realizes that his ___________ is fragile at his point of the trip but he banishes the doubt from his mind.

2. What does Callahan drape on the top of his boat in order to help it dry out and to keep the canopy area cool?

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

4. Callahan thinks the only hope for him lies in finding the ____________ and getting rescued there.

5. Callahan is overcome with emotion as the reality of his ____________ finally sinks in when he touches land.

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

The storms that batter the seas around Callahan from the beginning do not deter him from his goals.

Part 1: Why do you think that storms were not a concern for Callahan?

Part 2: How do you think you would have handled the presence of storms if you were on the boat?

Part 3: Do you think there is ever a time when the seas are completely calm?

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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