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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 are the nearly invisible visitors?

2. Where does Heyerdahl get a room?

3. What is the name of the chief god of the white men?

4. What ancient culture's story convinces Heyerdahl of the connection?

5. On which island does Heyerdahl land?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why was the translator of little use to Heyerdahl and Watzinger? What was the result?

2. What/where is Quito? What warning is received in regards to it?

3. How many trees are felled by the men? Why are the trees named before they are cut down?

4. What unusual fish is observed from the raft? What becomes of the fish?

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

6. What occurs after Heyerdahl tries to establish a contact with an old military connection. Why does Heyerdahl make the contact?

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

8. It is easy to see how one can become confused, considering the chief gods have various names. What were the names of the chief gods mentioned in the story?

9. Under what circumstances does Heyerdahl meet Colonel Haskin? How does the meeting benefit Heyerdahl?

10. Heyerdahl's financing falls through and the trip is in jeopardy. How is the trip saved?

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

Compare and contrast the personalities of Thor Heyerdahl and Peter Freuchen, the Danish Arctic explorer. Was one of the men correct? Were they opinions expressed by the men in direct conflict? Did either of them prove to be correct?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 688 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample