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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 is now discovered about Carl's boat that the Sheriff missed earlier?

2. The best argument against the prosecution is that

3. Ishmael's speech to his mother about Kabuo includes a great deal of

4. Ishmael feels that accidental occurrences on the island

5. Alvin Hooks' inappropriate behavior brings to the jury's attention

Short Essay Questions

1. What is it that keeps Alexander Van Ness from agreeing to convict Kabuo Miyamoto?

2. Why did Kabuo and Hatsue not inform the Sheriff of what they said really happened on the night of Carl Heine's death?

3. Describe what Ishmael discovered in the Coast Guard radioman's notes.

4. Although things are looking a little better for Kabuo, his story is once again compromised by a question from Alvin Hooks. Explain how he damages his testimony in this chapter.

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

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

7. How does the author foreshadow a turn of events in the trial?

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

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

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 brought the Japanese to the Northwestern corner of the U.S.? How did they get there, and why? Is there still a considerable Japanese population in the island off of Washington state? What is the Japanese population in Washington, in general? Where is the highest concentration? Compare the two cultures and give your opinions on why people such as the Japanese would want to live in the U.S.

Essay Topic 2

In this story, Tom Peck raises blue foxes on his island farm. Is blue fox still raised today? If so, for what is it used and how? Is it endangered? Research and write about the current state of the blue fox - where they live, what they eat, their predators and if they are under the control of humans. Include a photo or other image with your report.

Essay Topic 3

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?

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