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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. Why does Saturn stop traveling with Rapp?

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

3. Where does Easter sleep?

4. Why does Swenson drop Marina's hammock onto the deck?

5. What does Swenson almost do on the trail?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. What does Swenson tell Marina about Easter?

6. Why is Dr. Nkomo in Brazil?

7. What else are the Martins good for besides fertility inducement?

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

9. What does Marina find in her quarters?

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

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

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 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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