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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 is the person who notices Erasmus' ship doing?

2. Who leaves the story in Book One, Part Five?

3. Why does Erasmus turn down the job?

4. What do Thurso and the Governor discuss?

5. What did people want to steal from Paris' home?

Short Essay Questions

1. How has Paris' life changed between Book One and Book Two?

2. What decision does Erasmus make in Book One, Part Seven, following his father's death?

3. How does the syntax change in Book Two, Part Nine?

4. Do you find Thurso's action of throwing slaves overboard surprising? Why or why not?

5. How does Erasmus' relationship with Sarah change after Mr. Kemp dies?

6. Why does Mrs. Kemp deny that her husband committed suicide?

7. Describe how the death of Mr. Kemp is discovered.

8. What problems do you foresee in the potential relationship between Erasmus and Sarah?

9. How does Erasmus discover the ship in the swamp?

10. Is Paris a likable man to most of the crew members aboard the ship? Why or why not?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are several instances of irony in Unsworth's book. Identify at least one of those instances, and describe why Unsworth may have used irony when describing that particular situation.

Essay Topic 2

How is Unsworth's story ultimately resolved? Do you think that the plot was adequately resolved? In your opinion, what could have been added (or removed) to make it more meaningful?

Essay Topic 3

Identify the climax of this story and the series of events leading up to it. How did characters respond to the climax? What did Unsworth include in his story to insure that the climax would be as powerful and meaningful as possible?

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This section contains 789 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample