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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 old is Fox?

2. What do the Bovenders decide to do with Marina until Dr. Swenson can be reached?

3. How does Marina feel in Manaus?

4. Where do Marina and Mr. Fox go?

5. What shakes up Barbara?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What happens when Marina and Fox go to talk with Karen Eckman?

4. Who are the Bovenders and where does Marina encounter them?

5. How does Dr. Swenson react when she realizes Marina intends to come to the jungle with her?

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

7. What do the Bovenders argue concerning Swenson and Vogel?

8. How does Easter seem when he sees Marina and why did Milton bring Easter along?

9. Describe Marina's visit to the opera.

10. What does Fox explain about Dr. Swenson?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Oftentimes, a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think State of Wonder is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 2

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of State of Wonder and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why State of Wonder is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Had it not been for Barbara, however, Anders would likely have perished in the jungle. Swenson's own preoccupation with her own issues could have cost a man his life. Marina's decision to go after Anders is one made of responsibility and dedication, and although Marina knows she will likely perish, she also knows this is the entire reason she came to the jungle. Now clear on her ethical standards, she knows that to leave Anders behind would be impossible for her to live with.

1. Discuss what the above paragraph says to you about Swenson's character. Use examples from the story and your own life to support your answer.

2. Explain why you think Marina is or is not a true heroine. Use examples from the story and your own life to support your answer.

3. Marina seems to think the whole reason she ended up in the jungle was to save Anders. This seems she is saying it was her destiny. Discuss you views on destiny in relation to Marina's idea about the purpose for which she came to the jungle. Use examples from the story and your own life to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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