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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. Kabuo Miyamoto's demeanor as he looks out at the snow makes the jurors think that

2. Susan Marie understands that Carl Heine needed

3. Ishmael had always pretended that his visits to his mother's home

4. Reviewing the errands he must run due to the storm, Ishmael plans to

5. Why didn't Kabuo remember getting an extra battery before he went fishing on the morning of his arrest?

Short Essay Questions

1. What finally inspires Ishmael to take the Coast Guard report to Hatsue?

2. Explain how Carl's blood ended up on the handle of Kabuo's fishing gaff.

3. What new information does Hatsue provide that sheds a new light on the incident involving Carl Heine?

4. What is the glimmer of hope that comes from Susan Marie's testimony?

5. Why does Guterman get so graphic about the sex lives of Carl and Susan Marie Heine?

6. Does Sergeant Maples have any personal motives for seeming to incriminate Kabuo in his testimony?

7. What effect does the power outage have on the ambiance in the courtroom?

8. Describe Ishmael's experience as he views the devastation from the storm, the sunken docks and ravaged town. What does it mean?

9. What is peculiar about islanders and their relationships?

10. What, ultimately, could have been Carl Heine's greatest failing, according to Ishmael?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What did you learn about the legal system from this book, if anything? Guterson portrays the trial as fairly routine, with opening statements, examination and cross examination of witnesses, closing arguments, jury instructions and verdict. Look up the term "legal discovery" on the web, and determine how things have changed in our legal system since 1942. Is our system more efficient now? If so, in what ways? If not, in what ways? Are we more sophisticated in our legal process than before?

Essay Topic 2

Cedar trees are some of the most magical, aromatic trees on earth. Research cedars and report on where they thrive, their size and environment, their uses and their native habitats. Include photos and, if you live near cedars, a small frond of the fragrant tree. Include any threats to cedars, as well as what conditions make them thrive. Let your imagination help you better understand the atmosphere in the hollow cedar tree, and write about that, as well.

Essay Topic 3

Research and write an in-depth essay about the Japanese internment camps in the US during World War II. If possible, find someone to interview who has some childhood memories of the experience and interview him or her. Has the US, in your opinion, reconsidered its decision to place people in camps when their native country is at war with us? Has it reconsidered the decisions that were made back then? Is there a general consensus about the advisability of such a program? If possible, include some photos.

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This section contains 1,056 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample