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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. Where was the route supposed to start from in the first expedition of Shackleton's proposed trans-Antarctic expedition?

2. The men come to realize that what will determine their fate?

3. Who works on the ship's three boats?

4. Where is a known cache of food and supplies?

5. What was the name of Shackleton's sailing vessel?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to the Endurance?

2. What decision does Shackleton make that baffles the men? Why?

3. What happens as the ship approaches Vahsel Bay?

4. As the men attempts sledging, what does McNeish do? How does Shackleton handle the situation?

5. Why do the men struggle with getting the sledges across the ice?

6. In preparation for the attempted trek to Paulet Island, how do the men prepare?

7. How many boats does the ship have? What do the men do to the boats?

8. What is the experience like for the men as they trek with the sledges?

9. What do the men do to pass the time on the ice floe?

10. How do the men get the gigantic leopard seal?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Identify three characteristics or resources you think allow people to survive being shipwrecked and waiting for help without giving up hope altogether. Do you think the crew of the Endurance illustrated these characteristics? Why or why not? Why do you think the crew was able to adapt to the situations in which they found themselves without more problems and issues within the group?

Essay Topic 2

The expedition's ship is named the Endurance. How does this name come to symbolize the events of the expedition? In what ways did the men "endure?" Are there any areas or times in which the men did not "endure?" Use examples from the book to back up your answers.

Essay Topic 3

The crew faced a number of dangers together as well as living in close quarters. How did the crew get along with each other? What problems did they have? How were these problems overcome? Do you think that the crew's relationships with each other helped or hindered the expedition and the events that followed?

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