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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 Sophie think Cody is a good teacher?

2. What advice does Sophie give Cody when he feels stuck on Grand Manan?

3. What does Cody call the two girls he sees walking down the beach toward him?

4. When dolphins come to the side of the boat, how big are their groups?

5. Who or what calls to the narrator at the beginning of the novel?

Short Essay Questions

1. What story does Sophie tell Cody about a little kid she knows?

2. Why does everyone react strangely when Sophie explains what she plans to teach?

3. Why does Uncle Mo worry while Cody and Sophie are away visiting Wood Island?

4. What does Sophie's mother do?

5. What does Sophie do after she and her relatives get The Wanderer into the water?

6. What does the tall, lanky woman that Cody and Sophie meet show them?

7. What is the sail to Nova Scotia supposed to be like?

8. What does Uncle Dock give Sophie's mother, that encourages Sophie's mother to let her daughter go on the trip?

9. What does Sophie think of the boat when she first sees it?

10. Describe Uncle Mo.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of the primary themes of the novel is identity. Discus identity in the novel.

1) What elements help Sophie to find her identity and sense of self? Why does Sophie find it difficult to find her identity and where she fits into the world?

2) How do family, experience, memory, careers, and heritage affect identity in the novel?

3) How is storytelling a part of building identity for Sophie? What other ways do characters build or understand their identities?

Essay Topic 2

The characters argue with each other throughout the novel. Discuss the significance of arguments in the novel.

1) Why do some characters argue more than others? What causes Mo and Stew to argue? What causes Brian and Cody to argue?

2) What causes conflict and argument between Mo and Cody? What does this say about their relationship as father and son?

3) How are arguments different before the major storm, during the storm, and after the storm?

Essay Topic 3

Compare Cody and Brian as characters, and Mo and Stew as similar characters from the previous generation.

1) How are Cody and Mo similar? How are Brian and Stew similar? Is each generation a continuation of the past?

2) Why are Cody and Brian often at odds, just like Mo and Stew? What does this show about the family dynamic?

3) Why does the author choose family members with clear differences to include in the story?

(see the answer keys)

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