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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 causes Marina to quit her residency program?

2. What does Marina do back at her hotel?

3. What does Marina learn when she arrives in Manaus?

4. Who is involved with the Lakashi tribe?

5. How many children does Anders have?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Give a synopsis of the conversation between Karen Eckman and Marina that night?

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

5. Describe Marina's parents.

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

7. Why does Marina go into the river and how does she feel about it?

8. What does Fox explain about Dr. Swenson?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Marina finds the courage to explain about Anders death. Mr. Fox, unable to deal with the emotional situation, says little, although he does comfort Karen. The two leave, and Marina, quite upset that she was forced to tell Karen instead of Fox, asks to be taken back to her car.

1. Why do you think Mr. Fox made Marina tell Karen about Anders death when he was Anders boss? Use examples from the story to support your answer.

2. Do you think Marina was right to get angry at Mr. Fox for not doing his job? Why or why not? Use examples from the story to support your answer.

3. Discuss what you would do if you had to tell someone their spouse was dead. Use examples from the story and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Ann Patchett.

2. What in Patchett's background may have helped him in writing State of Wonder? What may have influenced the way he depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss State of Wonder based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if State of Wonder is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for adults versus young adults? Why or why not? Would most adults consider State of Wonder a successful novel? What about young teens?

(see the answer keys)

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