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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 Blaze tell Simon she will get out of this deal?

2. Letch and Westbrook convince the motel owner it is in his best interest to allow them into what room?

3. Where does Dawn leave her baby?

4. How much longer will Rita be working as a vice cop?

5. What does Blaze tell Dawn she will find in her new neighborhood?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do the Harbor Unit cops not like lifeguards?

2. Why does Fortney think Blaze should have been a cop if she is not one already?

3. How does the thought of losing the Cup feel to the Keeper of the Cup?

4. Why is New Zealand expected to win it all?

5. What are the two Cup races described at the beginning of Chapter 4?

6. Why does Simon Cooke hate the Kiwis?

7. What is Fortney’s greatest fear?

8. Who is number 63?

9. What does Letch do to deal with his neighbor’s annoying dog?

10. How does the Keeper of the Cup feel about his plan to keep the Cup?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are multiple occasions in which Fortney's fear of dark, murky water is brought up in Floaters. What might be the reason for this information? Do you find this odd considering Fortney is a harbor unit cop? Why or why not? How is this description of the water important to other characters?

Essay Topic 2

Serenity Jones is a madam in Floaters. How does Wambaugh show her humanity? What other characters are initially off-putting but grow on you, as the reader? What might be Wambaugh's reasons for doing this? What does this show about him as both a writer and a former police officer?

Essay Topic 3

Loneliness is an important theme that affects each of the characters. How does this theme connect the characters to each other? At what times in their lives have the characters felt less alone? Why might this time have been fleeting? How does this theme influence the overall tone of Floaters, as well as its various plot lines?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 820 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample