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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. How does Sadna care for Nailer?

2. How long has Nailer owned the mask he wears?

3. Who is Bapi?

4. What does the rich girl say her father will do?

5. Upon what is Nailer tugging?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does the crew think will happen to Sloth?

3. What are the few people's reaction that see Nailer immediately after he pops up to the water's surface and why do they react the way they do?

4. What happens during the storm and immediately in the aftermath of the storm?

5. Who cares for Nailer's wounds?

6. What do Nailer and Pima learn about who Lucky Girl really is?

7. How does Nailer feel when he sees Sadns emerging from the woods with his father?

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

9. Why are Pima and Nailer shocked by what they find on the clipper ship?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Characters are an important part of what makes Ship Breaker interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Nailer. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he always likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Pima. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Richard. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of Ship Breaker and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why Ship Breaker is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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