View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How are there a high number of visible trunks on the fertility trees?

2. What is the tribe doing in the morning when Marina awakes?

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

4. What does Marina notice on many of the crates on the boat?

5. Where does Easter take Marina?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Marina do in her spare time?

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

3. What awakens Marina during the night and what does she do?

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

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

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

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

8. What does Swenson tell Marina about Easter?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of State of Wonder and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why State of Wonder is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

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

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)

This section contains 1,200 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample