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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 time of day is the first island discovered?

2. What sea creature most impresses Heyerdahl?

3. What is the biggest danger during the near wreck?

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

5. What type of boat is sent to pick up the crew?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How did Easter Island get its name? What about the island changed at that time?

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

5. What evidence is there of the stone work on Easter Island? How did it change?

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

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

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

9. What is Heyerdahl's explanation of the reality of the hut versus the waves?

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

Much of the weather in the South Seas had gone unreported, often leaving the crew in the dark as to what to expect. Why is this true? Why was it important for the crew to report the weather? To who was the weather reported? What became of the information? How might it benefit future sailors?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

There is at least one thing that Heyerdahl feels he has in common with the ancients. Explain in detail Heyerdahl's thoughts. What is the commonality? How does Heyerdahl arrive at the opinion? Does the rest of the crew agree or disagree? What is your opinion?

(see the answer keys)

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