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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 were the sophomore crew members that Ulbrickson called into his office and told they needed to shape up in Part 3: The Parts That Really Matter, Chapter 9?

2. Who replaced Ed Leader as the head coach of the University of Washington rowing program?

3. How many of the original 175 boys were still in competition for a seat in the first two freshman boats at the University of Washington on October 30, 1933?

4. On what date did Joyce Simdar's family home burn to the ground?

5. What was the name of Joseph Goebbels' wife?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

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

3. What irony and symbolism can be seen in the performance of the Washington crew as they prepared for Poughkeepsie in Part 2: Resiliency, Chapter 7?

4. How does the author describe the physical toll of rowing in a two-thousand-meter regatta in Part 1: What Seasons They Have Been Through, Chapter 3?

5. How is the setting of Seattle described in 1933 in Part 1: What Seasons They Have Been Through, Chapter 1?

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

7. What were the crew standings like in October of 1933 at the University of Washington? How many boys were still vying for spots on the top boats?

8. How does the author describe the spiritual rewards and transformation within rowing competitively in Part 1: What Seasons They Have Been Through, Chapter 3?

9. How would you compare the actions, motivations, and characteristics of Joe Rantz and Thula Rantz?

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Joe Rantz’s friendship with Roger Morris. What did Joe and Roger have in common? How did they differ? What was the foundation of their friendship?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the theme of mentorship in The Boys in the Boat. Which of Joe’s mentors do you think had the biggest influence on him? Why? What words of advice did Joe follow from Tom Bolles, Al Ulbrickson, and George Pocock?

Essay Topic 3

Examine the actions, objectives, and obstacles of Harry Rantz in the narrative. How did Harry respond to the death of his first wife? What was Harry’s relationship like with Joe when Joe was young? How did their relationship evolve over time?

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