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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 type of wood does Heyerdahl believe the South Americans used to build their rafts?

2. How long is a whale shark?

3. What is thrown at the whale shark?

4. What is Bengt's profession?

5. What is Heyerdahl's native country?

Short Essay Questions

1. While aboard the Kon-Tiki, one of the crew members suffers from an ailment. What is the ailment? Which crew member suffers? What is done to help?

2. What items did the first European explorers discover on the Pacific Islands?

3. What was the first observation that led Heyerdahl to develop the theory about the Pacific Islands?

4. What piece of information strengthens Heyerdahl's theory?

5. The men face much natural interference in their trek into the jungle. What happens?

6. Why does Heyerdahl go to the Norwegian's Sailor's Home? What does the author learn there?

7. How do Heyerdahl and Watzinger procure the necessary items for their trip into the Andes?

8. Who is Wilhelm and why is his role important in the story?

9. What two things did the naval experts warn Heyerdahl about before the trip?

10. How do the Polynesians record the history of their people?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How do the natives from the nearby island help the crew of the Kon-Tiki? How is the plan acted out? What is the reaction of the other natives? How do the natives welcome the crew? Was the reception appropriate? Were gifts offered? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

There is a great deal said about the mysterious Easter Island. How did Easter Island get its name? What about the island changed at that time? Why is the region considered to be mysterious? Has any new information about the island been uncovered since the publishing of "Kon-Tiki?" If so, what? Does it cast a new light on the story?

Essay Topic 3

Once the crew has been rescued from the island, they have conversations with the tribal chief and vice-chief. Thor attempts to explain the purpose for the voyage, which leads to a discussion. What topic is discussed by Thor and Teka? What is Teka's reaction to Thor's theory? Is there a conflict? If so, how is it resolved? What is the final relationship between the crew and the natives?

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This section contains 679 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample