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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 Dr. Swenson believe is good for the health?

2. What does Dr. Swenson often do when she is a member of Dr. Rapp's research group?

3. Why does Marina go back to the boat?

4. Who meets the boat?

5. What does Marina do when she falls asleep?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does the tribe do occasionally when they go into the deep jungle and what does Swenson say about it?

3. What is said about Dr. Rapp during the boat trip?

4. How does Marina realize Swenson is nearly seventy?

5. What shocks Marina one day as the boat from Manaus arrives, and how does she feel about it?

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

7. What has Marina been doing since performing the C section, and what does she want to do?

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

9. Why does Marina go into the jungle every day and what does she wonder about her doing so?

10. Why is Dr. Nkomo in Brazil?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think State of Wonder is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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