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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 know he can never do now after the melee on the beach?

2. Where does Nailer encounter Richard Lopez?

3. Why is it obvious the scavenge has gone well?

4. Why do Nailer and Nita grow closer?

5. What surprises Nailer about the place where he leads the men?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Nailer realize about those on board the Pole Star, and what is his final thought about it?

3. What bothers Nailer the most about his situation with Pima and Nita?

4. How is Tool removed from being their guardian?

5. What causes the three of them dismay as they arrive at the docks?

6. Describe the chase scene and the possible consequences.

7. Why does Nailer risk going into Blue Eye's shack and what does he do there?

8. What do they learn from Tool about Nita's kidnapping?

9. What does Nita say about why her uncle is chasing her?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of Ship Breaker and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why Ship Breaker is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

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

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in Ship Breaker.

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of Ship Breaker. How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of Ship Breaker. How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

(see the answer keys)

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