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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 type of wood did Slocum use to repair the Spray?

2. What was the name of the bay that was located nearby?

3. What location was Slocum approaching when he just missed a shipwreck?

4. What is the name of Joshua Slocum's sister?

5. Just around this time Slocum has his first real encounter with which of the following:

Short Essay Questions

1. Discuss some of the issues encountered by Slocum after leaving Buenos Aires.

2. Examine Slocum's next encounter with savages.

3. How does Joshua Slocum describe the people of Nova Scotia?

4. What was the reaction of the townspeople when Slocum agreed to the deal?

5. Explain the dilemma faced by Slocum when his boat was wrecked.

6. Discuss the events encountered by Slocum immediately after departing from Brazil.

7. Discuss Slocum's interaction with the crew of the Colombia.

8. Describe some of Slocum's earlier voyages. Which boat was used for this new pastime?

9. Discuss the Slocum's ongoing relationship with the British.

10. Slocum talks about an omen that confirmed his ambitions for the Spray. What was the omen?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine in detail the types of ships mentioned in the story. Include the oyster boat, gaff, tug boat and others. Which is the most practical? Which is best suited to Slocum? Explain who would be likely to operate each boat. Also examine the purpose of each.

Essay Topic 2

Slocum had a difficult time deciding what to do with his life. Examine Slocum's quest. How did the author end up in Boston? What was Slocum doing at the time? Was Slocum working at a regular job? What did he do in Boston? Who did Slocum meet while he was in the city? What prompted him to look for a boat? Who sold the boat? What kind of omen(s) did Slocum relate to his new purchase? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

At one point in the story Slocum says that the sea is in his blood. What does Slocum mean when he says that the sea is in his blood? What did Slocum's father and grandfather do for a living? Do you believe a profession can be in some way inherited? How old was Slocum when he realized that he was destined to devote himself to the sea? What was the opinion of Slocum's father? Was the family supportive of Slocum's choices? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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