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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. Why do the children work so hard when Bapi comes around?

2. Who is Jackson Boy?

3. To whom is Richard grateful?

4. Who is best at stripping wires from ancient tankers?

5. What does Nailer hear when he leans forward closer to the rich girl?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the confrontation between Nailer and Bapi.

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

3. How does Nailer feel about Richard, and what saves Nailer from a beating when he gets home after his oil experience?

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

5. 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?

6. What is Nailer doing as the novel opens?

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

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

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

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

Oftentimes, a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not?

5. What type of plot do you think Ship Breaker is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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