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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 many days of searching have passed before O'Connor is located?

2. In Chapter 11, Gann notes that he, as most pilots, flies between Goose Bay and which other stop?

3. Where on the plane is the ominous shaking taking place on Gann's flight to Burbank?

4. At the end of the novel, Gann is flying for the new airline, another war begins, and he is stationed at which base?

5. How is Dudley described in the novel?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Gann feel about flying for the military when he first starts flying for them?

2. What does Gann learn kept his flight safe on the way from Honolulu to Burbank despite the fact that they were missing a critical piece of equipment?

3. How does O'Connor's crash-landing symbolize Gann's being stalked by fate?

4. How did his crash affect O'Connor in the long run?

5. What happens on Gann's flight from San Francisco to Honolulu, causing the plane to have to stop the flight and return to San Francisco?

6. What does the stewardess complain of on Gann's flight to Burbank?

7. What is the weather situation during Gann's emergency landing back to Steensville? What does Gann do to land the plane?

8. What emergency causes Gann to have to land his plane on his flight from Steensville?

9. After WWII, what war does Gann fly in, and how does he feel about his role as a pilot in this situation again?

10. Which route does Gann return to after his leave of absence, and what does he do there?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

We have studied the literary terms of protagonist and antagonist. Please define what a protagonist and antagonist are. Provide an example of each, and discuss the relationship between the two that causes one to be the protagonist of the story and the other to be an antagonist in the story.

Essay Topic 3

Gann interacts with several characters throughout this novel. Choose one of the characters that Gann interacts with, and provide a short description of the relationship between Gann and this character. Why was this relationship important to the story? What role did this relationship play in Gann's life and, therefore, the novel?

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