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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 wasn't Richard to tell Sal and Bugs about the map and the Yanks?

2. Why didn't Richard ask Jed what to do about the body?

3. Why did Richard tug at the back of his shirt?

4. Approximately how high were the cliffs?

5. Who did Richard share a cigarette with?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Richard feel about his parting from the two Americans the last time?

2. How was it that Sal was the leader?

3. What had the Filipino guy that Richard had met taught him about jellyfish?

4. What did Francoise and Etienne fear when they had seen Richard chatting with the Americans? Why was this?

5. What was the problem with the rucksacks and how was it solved?

6. Why didn't Richard stay where he was in the tidal cave?

7. What conveyed a sense or normalcy to Richard when he had woken up?

8. What made the map intricate?

9. What did Richard realize that he would have to do when he came to the cliffs and the waterfall? What did he imagine when he had looked at the waterfall and the pool beneath?

10. What explanation did Richard offer for the shape of the island on which the Beach was located?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss whether or not paradise is truly possible. What human flaws make paradise an almost impossible endeavor? Do you think it is possible for people to learn to work together indefinitely? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Richard's character. What do his actions reveal about him? What psychological terms apply to Richard and his regard of human life and his actions? What other characters with this same psychological condition likely shared these traits with Richard and why?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss whether or not living in paradise for any length of time would taint the way a person would perceive paradise. Explain your answer citing the book, and explain the contradiction in Richard's arrival in Koh Phangan and his return to England.

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