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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. Who is Sloth?

2. What is the first thing Nailer and Pima do?

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

4. To what does Bapi condemn Sloth?

5. What would Richard be more than willing to do to claim the salvage?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Where is Nailer crawling when he goes back end and what does he think of concerning Jackson Boy?

3. Describe the confrontation between Nailer and Bapi.

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

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

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

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

8. 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?

9. What does Nailer do immediately after the blood ritual is completed?

10. Who cares for Nailer's wounds?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in Ship Breaker. Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Bacigalupi chooses the symbols he does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Bacigalupi chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Bacigalupi's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, clifthangers, deux ex machina, etc...), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Bacigalupi use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. In your opinion, what are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss Ship Breaker based upon your criteria for a successful novel and judge if Ship Breaker is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for adults versus young adults? Why or why not? Would most adults consider Ship Breaker a successful novel? What about young teens?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,503 words (approx. 6 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample