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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. In what decade is the story "Birds with no Feet" set?

2. Where had Alfred Wallace, Alec Carrière's mentor, spent his years collecting specimens?

3. How does Dr. Grant react when he first sees the sick patients aboard the ships at Grosse Isle?

4. When Bianca visits Rose's laboratory as adults, which of the following is NOT something they do after sneaking out the lab window?

5. What illness does Alec Carrière come down with while in the Malay Archipelago?

Short Essay Questions

1. What school subject do the Marburg sisters excel in, and how does this shape their adulthood?

2. What scientific breakthrough does Carrière make in the biologic world?

3. What is the state of Zaga's life at the end of "Soroche"?

4. What happened to Jemmy Button a year after arriving in England?

5. Why did Joel want to marry Zaga and how does he treat his new wife?

6. What is the state of the passengers aboard the ships at Grosse Isle?

7. Why is Carrière jealous of Wallace?

8. Who started the winery in "The Marburg Sisters" and who runs it at the time of the story's setting?

9. What unusual pet did Carrière keep for a short time while in the Malay Archipelago, and what happened to this unusual pet?

10. How does Laughlin's relationship with Nora change at the end of the story "Ship Fever"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Although Nora can't read at the beginning of "Ship Fever" she brings with her from Ireland a knowledge of traditional medicine that proves to be useful, and possibly influences the course of the epidemic on the island. What do you think Barrett is trying to say about the intersection here of "professional" and "amateur" science? What does Nora take with her, when she leaves the island for her new life?

Essay Topic 2

The Billip children in the story "Rare Bird" were highly educated and quite wealthy. How did this upbringing affect the children into their adulthood? Which of the children could symbolically be considered the titular "Rare Bird"? How can you tell? Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

Two characters in the story "Soroche" suffered from extreme life changes due to wealth - Zaga and Jemmy Button. First, describe how Zaga and Jemmy came to wealth in adulthood and how this sudden wealth directly affected their lives. Then, describe how these life changes might symbolically be represented within the titular theme, "Soroche". Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

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