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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. How fast does the crew estimate their speed to be through the Drake Passage?

2. Why does Shackleton take Vincent with him on the rescue attempt?

3. What day do the men land again on South Georgia Island?

4. What date is assigned as an improbable return date for Shackleton?

5. Which destination does Shackleton decide to try to reach?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do the men do to prepare for Shackleton's rescue attempt?

2. What do the men do after they land at Elephant Island?

3. What happens to Blackboro after Shackleton leaves the island?

4. What do the men experience as they go through Drake Passage?

5. What is the beach and island like that the men land on? How do the men feel about it?

6. What are the boats like that the men are forced to use?

7. What is the experience in the boats like for the men?

8. Why does Shackleton decide to leave the island? Who does he consult with about the decision?

9. How do the men decide on the land that they want to target for landing?

10. Who is first on shore? Why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Polar expeditions have particular challenges for explorers and their crews. What are some of the challenges that are unique to polar regions? What obstacles did the environment present to Shackleton and his crew? How did they overcome these challenges?

Essay Topic 2

The crew faces a lack of food at several points in the book. Why do they face this problem? What do the men do to try to solve the problem? What tactics do they use to find more food? Why do you think there were not more problems with the crew's attitude and actions in regards to the lack of food?

Essay Topic 3

What was life like on Elephant Island for the crew? What did they do to make like more bearable? How do you think they felt about being on the island? Use specific examples from the book to back up your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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