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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 does Timothy use to make fishing line?

2. Why does Timothy think people have different colors of skin?

3. How deep is the water in the fishing hole?

4. Why does Phillip decide that Timothy chose a high spot to build their campsite on?

5. How do Timothy and Phillip get coconuts in Chapter 13?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 11, why does Phillip become nervous about Stew Cat's safety in Timothy's company?

2. In Chapter 9, why does Timothy and Phillip tear vines down from the north end of the island?

3. In Chapter 12, what are the symptoms Timothy exhibits when he tells Phillip he has malaria?

4. As Timothy and Phillip wait for the tempest to hit the cay, Phillip feels slithering around his ankles. What causes this feeling?

5. How do Phillip and Timothy mark the passing of time on the island?

6. When Timothy contracts malaria, why isn't Phillip able to stop him from leaving the campsite and going to the beach?

7. Why is Phillip angry the first time Timothy goes to find langosta for their dinner?

8. What does the hut Timothy builds on the island look like?

9. What are three steps Timothy and Phillip take to prepare themselves for the tempest?

10. What is the Devil's Mouth?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is an antagonist? Who or what is the antagonist of The Cay? Is there more than one antagonist?

Essay Topic 2

Phillip's opinion of Timothy changes a great deal from the time he first meets Timothy to the end of the novel. Describe Phillip's initial opinion of Timothy and how it changes over time. Use specific examples from the book.

Essay Topic 3

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?

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