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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 does Nailer tell Sloth?

2. For how many days does the storm rage?

3. Upon what is Nailer tugging?

4. What does Nailer know of one thing he does not have in his life?

5. What shocks Nailer when he emerges from the trees?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Nailer's solution to not trusting the girl they rescue?

2. What does Nailer do and what is the work like?

3. What type of mask does Nailer wear and who checks in with Nailer occasionally?

4. Who cares for Nailer's wounds?

5. What do Nailer and Pima find in the jungle and what is their first reaction?

6. What is the attitude about luck among Nailer's community and how will that affect Nailer's relationship to others after his almost dying.?

7. Why do the children work so hard when Bapi appears?

8. What do the three do the next morning?

9. How does the girl try to ensure that Nailer and Pima will not change their minds and kill her?

10. What are the drawbacks to trying to salvage the clipper themselves?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In most hero stories, there is a scene known as "Atonement with the Father" in which the hero reconciles his past with his future. In order for Nailer to move on in his life, he had to confront the man who had tortured and pursued him throughout the novel.

1. Do you think Nailer could be called a hero? Why or why not? Use examples from your own life and Ship Breaker to support your reasoning.

2. How do you think killing his father will affect Nailer for the rest of his life? Use examples from your own life and Ship Breaker to support your reasoning.

3. What do you think Sadna meant when she said killing always costs? Use examples from your own life and Ship Breaker to support your reasoning.

Essay Topic 2

Over the course of Ship Breaker, Nailer grows as a person in both complexity and understanding. Ship Breaker might be considered a slice of Nailer's larger story of his "coming of age." It might be said that Ship Breaker is a "bildungsroman" of Nailer Lopez. Discuss the following:

1. Define Bildungsroman, or "Coming of Age," and give several examples from literature you have read.

2. Trace and analyze the character of Nailer as he changes from a more innocent boy to a wiser, young man. What are the significant events that change Nailer?

3. After thoroughly analyzing Nailer's growth throughout Ship Breaker, do you think Ship Breaker could be considered Nailer's Coming of Age story? Why or why not?

4. Are there any other characters in Ship Breaker who go through a Coming of Age experience? Who? Why do you think so?

Essay Topic 3

There are a number of interesting questions raised by Ship Breaker. Questions that Bacigalupi most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Bacigalupi's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Bacigalupi's probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Bacigalupi and see if/where his life may have influenced his writing.

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