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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. What does Aronnax have trouble with as he tries to write about the battle with the squid?

2. What does Nemo object to?

3. As the Nautilus rounds Gibraltar, how far does Aronnax say they have traveled?

4. How do the sailors on board the Nautilus appear to be?

5. Before the Nautilus breaks free, what happens to Aronnax?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where does Aronnax finally come to?

2. What prevents the men from escaping in the Mediterranean?

3. Explain Nemo's bizarre behavior during a hurricane.

4. Relate Ned's heightened anxiety after the battle with the giant squid.

5. What goes on while Ned, Conseil, and Aronnax are escaping in the small boat?

6. What does Nemo tell Aronnax about the sunken ship he has come to see?

7. Mention briefly the problem as the Nautilus leaves the South Pole.

8. What is the conversation between Aronnax, Conseil, and Ned out on the platform?

9. What is it that Aronnax sees by the red glow of an underwater volcano?

10. How does Nemo react when Aronnax comments that the treasure they find is not used for a noble purpose?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay about the importance of research in writing a novel. Evaluate the importance of fact and historical reference to make a story believable. Also mention the part folklore and superstition play in making a novel both interesting and believable. Discuss how a writer like Verne can describe accurately such things as harpooning a whale without ever having had the experience personally.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay on weaknesses you see in the plot line of TWENTY THOUSAND LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA. Include how Nemo is never fully explained which makes it difficult to accept the forced imprisonment of Aronnax, Conseil, and Ned Land.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay about conserving biological species such as the whales. Include Nemo's argument with Ned Land that killing just for the sake of killing is wrong. Mention also that Jules Verne was writing a hundred years before many species of whale became endangered from over fishing.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 770 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample