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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 Bapi do to Sloth?

2. Who is Sadna?

3. What does Pima think is missing on Lucky Girl?

4. Why do Nailer and his friends cry out in joy?

5. Where do they find bodies?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How does Nailer fee about Bright Sands?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

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

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think Ship Breaker is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever finished reading a book and did not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,567 words (approx. 6 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample