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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 do at Dr. Swenson's apartment that the Bovenders refrain from doing?

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

3. How does Marina feel in Manaus?

4. What does Swenson's report discuss?

5. For how long has Anders been dead when Marina receives a letter from the Amazon?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does Karen say to Marina when Marina stops by to say goodbye?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Essay Topic 3

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as State of Wonder help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading State of Wonder? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in State of Wonder to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

(see the answer keys)

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