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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 else taunts him?

2. What does Mafatu's mother decide to do?

3. What do the other fishermen do after turning their canoes around?

4. Why does Mafatu's mother take him out to the barrier reef?

5. How does Mafatu react when he finally realizes how truly isolated he is?

Short Essay Questions

1. For what are the boys preparing?

2. What happens during the first major storm?

3. What has resulted because of Mafatu's fear?

4. Where does Mafatu head?

5. What does Mafatu describe at the beginning of the chapter?

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

7. What does Mafatu think about his father?

8. What happens after Mafatu is thrown from the canoe?

9. How does Mafatu struggle through the day?

10. What does Mafatu realize after the storm has passed?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Mafatu is very self-sufficient.

Part 1) How is he self-sufficient? What can one learn about Mafatu's culture through his self-sufficiency?

Part 2) How does this new independence and knowledge both help and hurt him?

Part 3) Do you believe that people in our modern culture are self-sufficient? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

There is a glimmer of Mafatu's moving toward self-sufficiency and independence.

Part 1) When does this first appear? How does his self-sufficiency and independence grow?

Part 2) How does his new sense of self guide him in the choices he makes?

Part 3) What does he learn about self-sufficiency and independence? Is it always good?

Part 4) Why or why not? How is this relevant in your own life?

Essay Topic 3

Mafatu prays to the Goddess of the Fishermen.

Part 1) Who is this goddess? Why does he pray to this goddess?

Part 2) Does the goddess help him? Why or why not?

Part 3) Compare and contrast Mafatu behavior in times of trouble and need to your behavior.

(see the answer keys)

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