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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 danger do they survive?

2. Who does Mafatu begin to follow?

3. Why does Mafatu wonder how he could be a brave leader?

4. With what is Mafatu suddenly filled?

5. Who emerges from the water, sopping wet?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Mafatu treated?

2. What happens that foreshadows a larger storm?

3. What happens after the storm? To what does Mafatu awaken?

4. What has happened when Mafatu has attempted to overcome his fear?

5. How does Chapter 2 end?

6. For what are the boys preparing?

7. What is Mafatu left wondering years later?

8. What is Mafatu's most significant shame?

9. What does Mafatu realize that causes him to be gripped by terror? How does he react?

10. What happens after Mafatu and his mother are washed ashore?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Seeing land is symbolic.

Part 1) When does he first see land on his journey? What does this symbolize?

Part 2) When looking at a neighboring island, what does he see? What does this foreshadow?

Part 3) Name two other times in history when seeing land has been significant. Explain the significance.

Essay Topic 2

Mafatu is the main character.

Part 1) Why was he called "The Boy Who Was Afraid?" Who called him this? How does he change throughout the story?

Part 2) What changes him?

Part 3) How are you known to others? How does this affect your behavior?

Part 4) Would you like to change how others think of you? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Mafatu collapses at the end of the book.

Part 1) What might have happened?

Part 2) What is significant about this?

Part 3) How might various interpretations of this ending affect readers?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 659 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample