View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What reaction do the fish have to the big storm?

2. How long does the big storm last?

3. What type of fish is known to stick to sharks?

4. Bengt likes to read books on what topic?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What type of food do the men eat on board? What are the options?

2. There is at least one thing that Heyerdahl feels he has in common with the ancients. What is it?

3. How does the crew avoid hitting the Takume and Raroia reefs? What is the result?

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

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

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

7. Why do the crew members take the dinghy into the water? What is their reaction?

8. What type of pet is adopted by the crew while out at sea? What does the pet eat?

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

10. What are the names given to the South Sea Islands?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

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 665 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample