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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 long after Tuck and Kimi begin bailing again do the sharks finally depart?

2. According to Mary Jean, who is her bodyguard?

3. When the story begins, what kind of tree is Tuck hanging from?

4. When Vincent first meets Malink, what does Malink carry with him as the children approach Vincent and his crew?

5. What position at Mary Jean's company does Tuck's visitor hold?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Jefferson Pardee need to find a new lead story for his paper?

2. Why does the telegram Tuck receives in his hotel room refer to staphylococci and research?

3. How does the girl from the hotel bar respond when Tuck admits he shouldn't fly because he's a little drunk?

4. When Tuck is praising the student for being cautious when a visitor arrives to see Tuck during his recuperation, what does Tuck tell the student that Tuck's momma always used to say?

5. When Tuck finally had enough hours in the Lear, why did Mary Jean turn full-time piloting duties over to Tuck instead of continuing to fly the plane herself?

6. How does Tuck's visitor explain the screams coming from the men's restroom at the airport to the security guards who rush in?

7. How does Sarapul respond when Kimi accuses Sarapul of eating Roberto?

8. Why does the Sorcerer send instructions for his stranded pilot to head to Yap?

9. As Dr. Case explains the ground rules to Tuck, why does Sebastian insist that Tuck never drink alcohol?

10. Contemplating suicide on the boat, Tuck decided to look on the bright side. When he did so, what did Tuck realize?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Beth Curtis is a woman who is supremely confident. Identify at least three instances from the story that highlight her confidence. How is Beth helped by her utter confidence? How is she hurt by her confidence? Provide examples of each.

Essay Topic 2

Sebastian Curtis wears different masks in the story. Both an evil doctor and a "Sorcerer," Sebastian has different personas to maintain. Identify, then compare the personas that Sebastian employs. What tricks does Sebastian use to keep his personas straight and avoid detection? Why is it necessary for Sebastian to wear different masks?

Essay Topic 3

In many ways, the novel is a series of contrasts designed to heighten the reader's awareness and draw the reader deeper into the story and the intricacies of each of the story's characters. Identify at least three contrasts that are used in the novel. Describe these contrasts and determine how they impact the story's plot, as well as the reader's emotional involvement in the characters' lives. If these identified contrasts were not included in the story, what impact would their absence have on the storyline, the characters' development, and the readers' involvement?

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