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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. Who sends the S.S. Empire Tern to the island?

2. In Chapter 3, when Timothy and Phillip are on the raft, where does Timothy believe they are?

3. Who is afraid of airplanes?

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

5. According to Phillip's father, why can't the islanders fight the Germans?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. At the beginning of the book, what do Phillip and Henrik find when they visit the harbor against their mothers' wishes?

3. At noon on Phillip's and Timothy's third day on the raft, what does Timothy do for Phillip as a plane passes overhead?

4. Why did Phillip's family move to Curacao?

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

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

7. Why does Phillip accuse Timothy of being stingy when they are on the raft?

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

9. In Chapter 2, what actions do Phillip and Grace take to stay safe from the Germans?

10. In Chapter 5, what does Phillip think he is glad he got to see before going blind?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the importance of Stew Cat in The Cay? What does he represent to Phillip? What does he represent to Timothy? How might Phillip's experience on the island been different had he not had Stew Cat?

Essay Topic 2

Phillip's relationship with Grace has a great impact on his life and the way he approaches the world. Describe their relationship. What characteristics of Grace do you also see in Phillip? How do these characteristics define Phillip's personality and the way he goes about his life?

Essay Topic 3

When Phillip and Timothy first meet, they are two very different people. Do you think this changes as the story progresses? Do Timothy and Phillip grow more alike? Why or why not? If so, which of the characters change and how does he change?

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