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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 oil does the "Worm Box" burn?

2. What is Gurney Spellgood's occupation?

3. How many oranges does Allie buy for a quarter in Honduras?

4. What kind of bird grabs Charlie's fishing bait?

5. What treat do the twins want to eat?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Allie come to realize that the Zambu Indians have met missionaries before?

2. Why does Mr. Haddy's boat's motor catch on a rock?

3. Why does Allie refuse to buy the rubber seal at the hardware store?

4. How does Charlie find out where his family is headed on the Unicorn?

5. Why does the Fox family rarely go out shopping at real stores?

6. What do the Foxes find when they return to the Zambus with more ice?

7. What items do the Foxes buy when they go shopping in Chapter 6?

8. Why does Allie refuse to build the ice plant for Polski?

9. Why does Allie force Mr. Struss to leave his village?

10. How does Allie show the Honduran natives that they shouldn't be afraid of his ice plant?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the novel, Allie seems to change the past when retelling prior events. Choose two or three of those instances to write about. Why do you think Allie does this? Does he believe his own lies or is he simply trying to manipulate his party?

Essay Topic 2

Explore the use of religion in "The Mosquito Coast." Choose three events from the novel that deal with religion and explain their significance. What do you think Theroux is saying about religion?

Essay Topic 3

The twins, April and Clover, are minor characters, but occasionally they drive the plot. Explore their significance. Why do you think Theroux made them twins instead of one daughter? When do they drive the plot?

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This section contains 607 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample