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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. Who wrote "It is a happy talent to know how to play"?

2. Why does the shark fail to get an otter, or even two of them?

3. What does Odder think of the sounds she hears on shore for the first time as a pup?

4. Where did Odder learn to be an otter?

5. Where is the first part of the story set?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do otters groom their fur so assiduously?

2. Why does the shark attack Kairi and not Odder?

3. Why is Odder worried about Kairi when she sees Kairi shivering?

4. What are some dangers of the ocean for otters?

5. What is usually true when a shark bites an otter?

6. Why does Odder attack the shark?

7. What happens to submerged otter pups in the ocean?

8. What do otters often tuck in a pocket of skin on their arm?

9. What do otters do with their pups when they look for food?

10. What is one advantage of venturing further out into the bay for otters?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What are Odder's greatest regrets, and how does Applegate portray them to the reader? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

How do humans try to introduce otters back into the wild after periods of captivity? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

How does Applegate treat the topic of parenthood throughout the novel, through the lens of otters' experiences? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

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This section contains 524 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample