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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 woman who ran the hotel where Gantos lived during his senior year in high school claimed to be related to whom?

2. After being battered by storms for three days, what did Hamilton order Gantos to follow?

3. Gantos wrote in the ship's log as if it were ___________.

4. According to the author in Section 1, Chapter 3, one afternoon his entire school was send to the auditorium where they heard presentations from ____________.

5. In Section 1, Chapter 4, Gantos found himself inspired by a novel written by what author?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Hamilton's knowledge of Gantos and his fears described in Section 2, Chapter 3?

2. What experience did Gantos have within the political revolution in St. Croix?

3. What did Gantos discover in his discussions with Tim Scanlon? What plan did the two of them hatch?

4. What did Gantos do instead of departing for St. Croix?

5. What presentation does Gantos describe at his school in Section 1, Chapter 3? What did he make of it?

6. Where did Gantos live the remainder of his senior year in high school? Where was his family?

7. Why did Gantos decide not to attend a university right away? How does he describe his meeting at a college in Section 1, Chapter 3?

8. Describe Gantos's experience with drugs in high school. What did he think of the experience?

9. What led Hamilton and Gantos to follow the Coast Guard in Section 2, Chapter 3?

10. What was the second business deal Gantos made with Rik in Section 2, Chapter 1? Why did he take the offer?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss the figure of Rik in the narrative and Gantos' agreement to smuggle the hash into New York. How did Gantos feel about the dangers he faced? Why did he choose to make the risk? What did he hope to attain in escaping St. Croix?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Ernest Hemingway and John Hersey and their influence on Jack Gantos. When did each of these authors live and what were their major works? How did Gantos compare himself to Hersey, and why did he consider himself a coward?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Gantos's aspirations as a writer. Since what age had Gantos wanted to be an author? Who influenced him? What did Jack's family think about his aspirations? How did Gantos's teachers perceive his writing talent?

(see the answer keys)

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