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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. In Chapter 5, whom does Timothy say is bad luck?

2. What ship do Phillip and his mother board to leave the island?

3. In Chapter 6, when Phillip reminds Timothy that they've spotted land, what returns to Timothy's voice?

4. Why does Timothy warn Phillip to stay away from the edge of the raft?

5. Upon discovering he is blind, who does Phillip call for?

Short Essay Questions

1. When the S.S. Empire Tern is sunk, what does Philip realize about the crew that was on board?

2. Why does Timothy order Phillip to crawl around the raft, not walk?

3. What information does Timothy provide Phillip about himself when Phillip asks where Timothy comes from?

4. In Chapter 6, what happens that causes Phillip to fall off the raft into the water?

5. Why is the S.S. Hato sailing to Panama before going to Miami?

6. As the novel opens, why is young Phillip excited?

7. On the first night Timothy and Phillip are on the raft, what does Phillip think about as he lays looking at the stars?

8. Why does Timothy warn Phillip not to dangle his hands over the side of the raft into the water?

9. Why doesn't Phillip want to leave Curacao with his mother?

10. Who are the occupants of the raft Phillip wakes up on after the S.S. Hato sinks?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What point of view is The Cay told from? Why do you think the author chose this point of view? Would another point of view have been as effective? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Friendship is an important theme in The Cay. Who are Phillip's friends? Does he have different friends at different times throughout the book? What needs do Phillips friends meet for him? Do his friendships change during the course of the novel? If so, how? Does his view of friendship change?

Essay Topic 3

What does Timothy's leaning on Phillip after his illness signify? What events lead to this change? Why is this an important turning point in the story?Did Phillip become independent because Timothy died? Or, did Timothy die because Phillip had become independent? Provide evidence from the book to support your argument.

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