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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 Nailer do when they are aboard the train?

2. Where does the Dauntless need to reach before the Pole Star catches her?

3. What does Nita say is in Tool's genes?

4. Who does Nailer bring to be with him?

5. What has Richard been forcing down Nailer?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Nailer learn immediately upon awakening?

2. Describe the initial boarding of the Pole Star by the Dauntless crew.

3. What happens between Nailer and his father in the engine room?

4. What happens when Blue Eyes suddenly wakes and how is Nailer saved?

5. Where does Nita say they need to go and why will that be difficult?

6. Describe the argument between Nita and Tool.

7. What surprises Nailer when they arrive at the mansion and who does Nailer find inside?

8. What does Nailer do after Richard passes out of sight and why does Nita not seem too worried?

9. What does Captain Candless do after hearing Nailer's story?

10. How does the Dauntless fall into a trap and what seems to be the best way to get out of it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

1. What is foreshadow? How many incidences of foreshadow are in Ship Breaker? How does foreshadow contribute to a book's suspense?

2. Discuss an example of foreshadow in Ship Breaker including why you believe it is foreshadow. Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

3. How do you think most people react to uncertainty in their lives? Use examples from Ship Breaker and your own live to support your opinion.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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