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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. After how much use is the mask supposed to be discarded?

2. What does the girl say that indicates she understands her situation?

3. What shocks Nailer and Pima when they are on board the clipper?

4. What does Lucky Girl say is probably on the clipper ship?

5. What does no one take seriously about Sloth?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the ritual of making the girl a crew member.

2. How does Nailer get out of the oil and the ship?

3. What do Pima and Nailer find in the galley that makes it obvious that this is a massive Lucky Strike?

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

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

6. What does Nailer think about clipper ships?

7. Describe the scene where Nailer decides not to kill the rich girl.

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

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

10. What is Nailer doing as the novel opens?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

The mantra that one must be lucky and smart to create a Lucky Strike is related when the pair discover the ship and when they discover the injured girl.

1. Discuss reasons why people in the kind of world in which Ship Breaker is set might believe so much in luck. Use examples from your own life and Ship Breaker to support your reasoning.

2. Discuss the reasons you think kept Nailer from killing Nita. Use examples from your own life and Ship Breaker to support your reasoning.

3. Do you think choosing not to kill the girl separates Nailer from his father? Why or why not and in what ways? Use examples from your own life and Ship Breaker to support your reasoning.

Essay Topic 3

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Nailer and Richard. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Nita and Pima. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in Ship Breaker help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

(see the answer keys)

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