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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 Karen say when she calls Marina at Marina's home?

2. What does Swenson say Anders was?

3. What hobby made Anders want to go to the jungle?

4. What does Marina throw away at the airport?

5. Who is Milton?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Describe Marina's visit to the opera.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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