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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. Who was the coxswain of the varsity boat that raced against the freshmen at the University of Washington in Part 2: Resiliency, Chapter 6?

2. Where were the University of Washington rowing crew tryouts held in Part 1: What Seasons They Have Been Through, Chapter 1?

3. The first American intercollegiate crew race in America took place in what year?

4. What was novel about the manner in which Joe Rantz's parents married?

5. Who hired Joe Rantz to help him install a new roof on his farmhouse in the summer of 1934?

Short Essay Questions

1. What frustrations did Coach Al Ulbrickson face as the crews prepared for Poughkeepsie in Part 3: The Parts That Really Matter, Chapter 9?

2. How does the author depict the changes in Joe and the other University of Washington crew members after Coach Bolles announced the final selections for the rowing team in Part 1: What Seasons They Have Been Through, Chapter 5?

3. How is George Pocock's childhood described in Part 1: What Seasons They Have Been Through, Chapter 3? How did Pocock become involved with boats?

4. What event led to the Rantz family moving to Idaho in Part 1: What Seasons They Have Been Through, Chapter 2? How did Joe like Idaho?

5. How would you describe the language style of Daniel James Brown? What aspects of the author's style stand out in Part 1: What Seasons They Have Been Through, Chapter 1?

6. What led up to Joe Rantz's abandonment by his father in Part 1: What Seasons They Have Been Through, Chapter 2?

7. What is the focus of the narrative in Part 3: The Parts That Really Matter, Chapter 9? What function does this chapter serve in the plot?

8. Why do you think Thula Rantz repeatedly rejected Joe as a part of her family?

9. How does the author describe his first meeting with Joe Rantz in the Prologue of The Boys in the Boat?

10. What did Joe Rantz's father tell him when he abandoned Joe at the age of fourteen? How did Joe respond to these circumstances?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the author’s depiction of Joyce Simdars in the narrative. How old was Joyce when she met Joe Rantz? What attracted Joyce to Joe? What are some examples of sacrifices that Joyce made in order to be with Joe?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and discuss the technical aspects of competitive rowing. How many oarsmen are in a racing vessel? Who steers the boat? Who sets the pace for the rowers? What are the common distances of regattas today?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the childhood of Joe Rantz and discuss how Joe’s childhood influenced his rowing career. Do you think Joe would have made it as far as he did in life without having such a troubled upbringing? Why or why not?

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