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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 does Marina learn to do with the local vendors?

2. How does Dr. Swenson take to the idea of Marina coming into the jungle with her?

3. What does Mr. Fox regret?

4. What does Marina do over the next few days?

5. Who is tall, tan and blond?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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. What is Fox concerned about and how is his concern proven to be valid?

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

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

8. Describe Marina's visit to the opera.

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

10. What does Marina think of Swenson's apartment and why does the doctor maintain it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in State of Wonder. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with growth? Why? What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of courage in State of Wonder. Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess courage? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of ethics and morals in State of Wonder. How does the morals of a character show up? Who seems to have shaky morals? Who seems to have good ethics? How did the ethics and morals of the characters affect the story?

Essay Topic 2

There are a number of interesting questions raised by State of Wonder. Questions that Patchett most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Patchett' agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Patchett' probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Patchett and see if/where his life may have influenced his writing.

Essay Topic 3

From Alan's descriptions of Rapp, it is very clear he worshiped and idolized the man profusely. He cared little about the things Rapp may have done that were immoral, because he chose not to see those things. As he himself says, he chooses to cut away the bad parts of Rapp's life in an effort to show only the positive aspects. Nancy, on the other hand, sees Rapp in a different light. As a philanderer, and a cold hearted man who left dying boys in the jungle, Nancy can see little redeeming about him. While she does not question his genius, she does not think his hero status is deserved.

1. Discuss what you see is Dr. Rapp's character based on the above paragraph. Use examples from the story and your own life to support your answer.

2. Alan idolizes Rapp in spite of being left in the jungle by Rapp when Alan came down with a fever. Discuss the reasons you think a person would still admire someone who seems to care little about others. Use examples from the story and your own life to support your answer.

3. Alan has Rapp on a pedestal while Nancy puts him just above scum. Is it possible that Rapp is somewhere in between the two? Why or why not? Use examples from the story and your own life to support your answer.

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