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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 eliminates the visibility on Gann's flight to Goose Bay?

2. Heavy with fuel and equipment, what is the mph Gann's plane averages on the way to Greenland?

3. How does the author describe Keim's physical appearance?

4. Whose methods and practices does flight school teach the pilots?

5. How does Ross seem to handle and respond to Gann's mistakes at Wilkes-Barre and various other stops on their first flight?

Short Essay Questions

1. Gann is stationed in Maine as a civilian pilot. What does he do as a civilian pilot while stationed there?

2. Briefly describe the near death situation Gann and his co-pilot Beattie faced as noted in the novel's prologue.

3. What are some tricks that Gann learns from Ross?

4. Briefly describe McIntosh and his teaching style.

5. Why does Gann appreciate his shorter AM-21 route?

6. What happened on Gann's flight with Hughen to Nashville that could have nearly killed them?

7. How does Gann handle the landing at Syracuse?

8. What was Gann's responsibility as a co-pilot when they landed at Wilkes-Barre?

9. What does the flight school aim to teach its students?

10. What does Gann do with the abandoned German plane that he locates in South America on his initial flight over there?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one of the characters that Gann interacts with in the story and compare and contrast Gann and that character. What are their similarities (if any)? What are their differences? How do they differ as pilots and as people?

Essay Topic 2

Weather is a common theme in the novel. Why is weather so important in this novel? How does weather seem to affect Gann and other pilots? Give three examples of weather having an effect or being an important factor in the novel.

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the novel, Gann provides substantial detail of the various planes that he flies or that are being developed. Please choose two planes, and 1) provide a physical description of the plane, 2) explain its use, 3) explain Gann's opinion on the plane, and 4) provide an example from the book of a situation where Gann was flying the plane and what happened. How did knowing so many additional technical explanations and details of the plane enhance the experience for the reader?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 694 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample