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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. Who was with Anders when he died?

2. Why does Marina go to Rodrigo's store?

3. What is implied in Swenson's story about Anders?

4. Who is Milton?

5. What does Fox expect Marina to do?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Describe the conversation at the cafe between Marina and Dr. Swenson about Anders.

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

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

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

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

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

8. What does Marina feel about the river?

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

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 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.

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

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,490 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample