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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. How does Milton inadvertently prove the Bovenders to be lying?

2. What does Marina learn to do with the local vendors?

3. Who is Josh Su?

4. What does Swenson say Anders was?

5. Why does Fox think Swenson will listen to Marina?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Marina quit her OB-GYN residency program?

2. What does the letter from Dr. Swenson say about Anders Eckman?

3. What is Marina and Fox's relationship like and how does he act when he comes to her house the night before she leaves?

4. What does Karen say to Marina when Marina stops by to say goodbye?

5. What does Marina deduce about Dr. Swenson and the Lakashi tribe?

6. What does Marina begin taking in preparation for travel to Brazil and what does Karen remember in relation to Lariam?

7. Who is Anders Eckman and what does Marina just learn about him?

8. What does Fox explain about Dr. Swenson?

9. What did Mr. Fox explain to Marina about the Lakashi women?

10. What does Marina tell Fox when she calls him the night after the opera and what is his reply?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think State of Wonder is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in State of Wonder.

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

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

Essay Topic 3

Marina made a bad mistake during residency, not listening to her supervising physician and rushing a C section. Her actions in the hospital on the night of the botched C section were primarily caused not by her lack of skill, as she was well trained, but instead simply by a carelessness brought about because of her concerns that she had fallen in the eyes of her mentor. Marina clearly thought of Swenson as a mentor, but also elevated her to almost hero status. When she failed her, she was distracted, and as a result, made a profound mistake. Although forgiven by the mother and father of the blinded child, and also by the board, who allowed her to keep her residency, Marina was never able to forgive herself. She quit the program to avoid having to face Swenson and the others who knew of her mistake. She divorced her husband, in part, to distance herself from him and the friends who knew of the accident.

1. Do you think Marina had good reason to quit her residency program? Why or why not? Use examples from the story and your own life to support your answer.

2. Discuss the reasons you see for Marina divorcing her husband and cutting off relationships with friends she knew when she botched the C section. Use examples from the story and your own life to support your answer.

3. Do you think it is more difficult to learn from or perform for a teacher or mentor you idolize than one about whom you feel no such big feelings? Why or why not? Use examples from the story and your own life to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,215 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample