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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 Lucky Girl say is probably on the clipper ship?

2. Where does Nailer go for help?

3. What does her father know about Lucky Girl's situation?

4. What does Nailer's crew share?

5. What is clear about Nailer's injury?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What is wrong with Nailer and why will it be difficult to cure?

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

5. How does Nailer fare in the oil when he falls into a pool of it?

6. Why does Nailer fear for his livelihood, and what gives him some hope?

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

8. What dampens the survivors good mood?

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

10. What does the girl ask Nailer when she wakes and what is his reaction?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of Ship Breaker, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in Ship Breaker. (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not? Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as Ship Breaker help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading Ship Breaker? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in Ship Breaker to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

(see the answer keys)

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