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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. Whose body does Paris find in a shed?

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

3. Where was the Ship seen abandoned in Book Two?

4. Which character becomes ill with fever in Book One, Part Seven?

5. Who does Paris join in Book Two, Part Nine, at the settlement?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Mrs. Kemp change after her husband's death?

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

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

4. What events lead to the disappearance of Deakin and Calley?

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

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

7. Contrast the fort with the impoverished town that Paris visits in Book One, Part Six.

8. What conflict does Erasmus come upon in Book Two, Part Eight?

9. What does Paris find in a shed near Timothy Owens' place? What is his reaction?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How would you describe the development of the relationship between Erasmus and Sarah? Why do you think that Sarah becomes attached to Erasmus? What benefits do both characters derive from the relationship?

Essay Topic 2

How does Unsworth incorporate the concept of man versus self in his novel? Which character do you think is the best example of man versus self and why?

Essay Topic 3

Unsworth uses a great deal of imagery in his book. What specific examples of imagery did Unsworth include in his book? How does that imagery add to the reader's experience of the story?

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