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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 is Thao jealous?

2. What does Linh wish about Darrow?

3. What happens the morning after the summer festivities end?

4. Who does a soldier say were heroes?

5. What happens when Darrow and Anderson get on a flight together?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens with Robert?

2. How does Helen's teaching Linh to swim change something for Linh?

3. Why do Tanner and Darrow get into a fight?

4. What happens to Helen that has Darrow telling her she is better off without belief?

5. What do Helen and Darrow discuss concerning Linh and his helping Helen?

6. Who is Thao and what does she feel towards Linh and Helen?

7. What happens to Darrow and Anderson?

8. What does Helen resent about Darrow?

9. What did Linh do while away from Helen and Darrow?

10. What happens when Helen goes out on assignment with Captain Olsen?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Tatjana Soli.

2. What in Soli's background may have helped him in writing The Lotus Eaters? What may have influenced the way he depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of trust in The Lotus Eaters. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with trust? Why? What are some symbols of trust? Symbols of distrust? What characters seem trustworthy? Untrustworthy?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of courage in The Lotus Eaters. Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess courage? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of death in The Lotus Eaters. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with death? Why? What are some symbols of death? Symbols of life? What characters seem to want to die?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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