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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. Where do Marina and Mr. Fox go?

2. Where do Jackie, Barbara, Milton, and Marina go?

3. How long passes before the Bovenders contact Marina?

4. What do the Lakashi women eat?

5. What does Marina do at Dr. Swenson's apartment that the Bovenders refrain from doing?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Fox explain about Dr. Swenson?

3. What do Marina and the Bovenders discuss concerning Anders Eckman?

4. Who else shops at the store where Milton takes Marina and what does Marina wonder about the other foreigners?

5. Who is Milton and how does he help Marina when she lands in Manaus?

6. Who is Mr. Fox and how does he react to the news about Anders Eckman?

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

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

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

10. What does Marina do when Barbara show her Dr. Swenson's mailbox?

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

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.

Essay Topic 3

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Marina and Dr. Swenson. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Anders and Jim Fox. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in State of Wonder help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

(see the answer keys)

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