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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 has Marina shared with Anders Eckman for the past seven years?

2. What does Fox want to do?

3. What does Fox mimic doing?

4. What does Swenson say Anders was?

5. How long does Marina's marriage last?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. What does Milton say to Marina about the Bovenders?

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

State of Wonder belongs to the mystery genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the mystery genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a mystery and a historical novel?

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,188 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample