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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 many people live on the island?

2. How do the men scare away the small sharks?

3. What item may have been eaten to ward off fatigue?

4. Squid have the unusual ability to do what?

5. The village men act out a dance with what?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where is the final destination? Who invites/receives the crew?

2. How do the men keep occupied while out on the sea? How are conflicts handled?

3. What items are found on the island and what do they indicate?

4. The crew entertains themselves by playing with what dangerous sea creatures? How do they play with them?

5. What hinders the Kon-Tiki from traveling to a second island?

6. How is the crew rescued? Where are they taken and by who?

7. Where do the men nearly land? How do they determine the name?

8. What is Bengt's comment regarding the near collision and trip to the island?

9. Heyerdahl thinks about how the ancients might have gathered or transported water. What were his conclusions?

10. What causes the men to rethink the landing on the island?

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

On the ocean there is not much to do other than work, talk to one another, eat, and stare at the sea. How do the men keep occupied while out on the sea? Are there games or interaction with the sea creatures? If any conflict should arise during the course of the trip, how would it be handled? Who would make the decisions?

Essay Topic 3

The book details the end of the journey after the Kon-Tiki arrives at its destination. Detail the landing of the Kon-Tiki, its location, and how it was received. Who was on hand to welcome the crew ashore? Did the trip prove Heyerdahl's theory? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 594 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample