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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. The narrator's mom once told him that he had the blood of a ________ noblemen flowing through his veins.

2. Who is drunk and has the hick-ups in Chapter 37?

3. After the Bahia is raided, what is the Captain still in possession of?

4. How many Maine lobsters were in aerated tanks of saltwater on board the Bahia before it was looted.

5. Who is Kamikaze?

Short Essay Questions

1. Is Siegfried von Kleist successful at committing suicide in Chapter 38? Explain.

2. Who does Akiko name one of her daughters after? Explain.

3. According to the narrator, why do people get hiccups?

4. What happens to Kazakh in Chapter 31?

5. How is Prince Richard murdered? Who kills him?

6. Why is the Bahia considered to be a ghost ship in the opinion of humankind?

7. What is the launching of Reyes's missile compared to in Chapter 34?

8. What is the irony behind the marriage of Mary Kaplan and Willard Flemming in Book 2: Chapter 4?

9. In the beginning of Chapter 13, what is Selena and Hisako seeking and finding?

10. Why does James Wait tell Mary Hepburn to call him by his first name? By what name does Mary call James?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The portrait of Charles Darwin hangs behind the bar in the Hotel El Dorado. Why do you think Charles Darwin is such an important figure to the characters in the novel? In your opinion, do you think Charles Darwin should be seen as an idol? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

In Book 2: Chapter 7, Leon Trout must face the decision whether to go into the afterlife or stay for a million years to watch humanity evolve. He cannot let go of the unfolding story of humankind, at least not for another million years. Why do you think Leon is given a million years to stay on earth? Do you think there is a limit to the amount of knowledge the Father wants Leon to have? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss sensuality, sexuality, and fertility as it pertains to the novel. Be sure to give at least one example of each from the novel.

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