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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 business did Joel make his wealth?

2. Where does Joel take Zaga for their honeymoon?

3. Where did Alec Carrière find most of the items in his massive collection?

4. How was Jemmy Button treated by his native land when he returned?

5. Why does Grosse Isle eventually shut down?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Zaga do with Joel's money after his death?

2. During the time that Adam Rowley is away, what does Laughlin spend his time discussing with Rowely's wife, Susannah?

3. What notes does Laughlin make about disease and quarantine while he is working at Grosse Isle?

4. In the opening pages of "Soroche" what does the reader learn about Zaga's character?

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

6. What unexpected request does Dr. George Douglas make of Laughlin?

7. Why are the Marburg sisters so wild?

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

9. How did Wallace and Carrière meet?

10. Who is Adam Rowley?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In any story collection, the order of the stories is purposeful and meant to evoke certain connections and rhythms in the reader. How are the stories in "Ship Fever" arranged? How does that order influence your reading of the book as a whole? In your opinion, which story do you think should have opened the collection - therefore setting its tone - and which should have ended the collection, anchoring the themes? Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

In the story "The Littoral Zone" Jonathan and Ruby meet under unique circumstances. How do the two scientists meet? What is their initial reaction to one another, and how does that reaction change over time? By the end of the story, what is the state of Jonathan and Ruby's relationship? Do you think they are happy with the outcome? Why or why not? Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

In the story "The English Pupil" the main character is a retired scientist on the cusp of death. What concerns does Carl Linnaeus have about his legacy after death? What major symbolism can be found in the story to support the theme of personal legacy? How do Linnaeus' relationships - both familial and academic - support the themes created through imagery? Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

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This section contains 922 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample