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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 notice on many of the crates on the boat?

2. What do the purple moths called martinets do?

3. Why does Marina perform under the supervision of Dr. Swenson?

4. What has Marina been doing since her first foray into medical practice?

5. What horrifies Marina when they take a break from their trip on the river?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Marina realize Swenson is nearly seventy?

2. Who does Marina meet at the docks the next morning and where does he take her?

3. How does Swenson say Dr. Rapp would react to a ill or injured tribal member?

4. What is the situation with Swenson's pregnancy?

5. What does Marina observe when she accompanies Dr. Buni and Nancy to the fertility trees?

6. Who are on the boat going to the trading post?

7. Who does Marina write' how is the letter to be posted, and what letters does Easter keep giving her?

8. What happens during the siesta that makes Swenson dump Marina on the deck?

9. How does Marina feels as the boat pulls up to the dock where the Lakashi are and how do they greet the arrivals?

10. What does Marina learn about the Martins and Rapps?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Ann Patchett.

2. What in Patchett's background may have helped him in writing State of Wonder? What may have influenced the way he depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

Essay Topic 2

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in State of Wonder. Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Patchett chooses the symbols he does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Patchett chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Patchett's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, clifthangers, deux ex machina, etc...), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Patchett use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

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)

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