Life of Pi Vocabulary Test (Chapters 90-94)

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Questions and Answers

What does abundant mean?

plentiful

What does amoral mean?

being outside the concepts of right and wrong

What does chimera mean?

an illusion

What does conjecture mean?

a guess Signup and view all the answers

What does consternation mean?

concern Signup and view all the answers

What does copiously mean?

abundantly Signup and view all the answers

What does diurnal mean?

active in the daytime Signup and view all the answers

What does euphoria mean?

extreme happiness Signup and view all the answers

What does laden mean?

burdened Signup and view all the answers

What does pliable mean?

flexible Signup and view all the answers

What does rote mean?

automatic; done without thought Signup and view all the answers

What does botch mean?

ruin Signup and view all the answers

What saddens Pi the most about his continual deterioration?

Pi is upset because he can no longer care for Richard Parker. He feels like he has failed as a zookeeper. Signup and view all the answers

What finally marks the rock bottom of Pi's suffering?

The day that Pi goes blind is the day that he truly prepares himself to die. Signup and view all the answers

Although Pi is still alone, he carries on a conversation with someone. With whom is Pi speaking?

At first he thinks the voice is in his own head. Then he decides he is having a conversation with Richard Parker. Signup and view all the answers

What is the topic that begins the conversation in this chapter?

Pi and the mystery speaker start talking about food. Signup and view all the answers

The mystery speaker has killed two people. What were the circumstances that led to this? Does the speaker have any regrets about it?

The speaker says he killed a man and a woman because it was them or him. He has absolutely no regrets about it. Signup and view all the answers

The mystery speaker turns out to be another shipwreck victim of French origin. What happens to him?

The man empathizes with Pi but then attacks him. Richard Parker kills and eats him instead. Signup and view all the answers

When Pi and the French man realize that neither one of them has food, what does Pi do to make them both feel better?

He makes up a very brief story about a man finding a banana. Signup and view all the answers

How does Pi feel when Richard Parker kills the man?

He says, 'Something in me died then that has never come back to life.' Signup and view all the answers

What alleviates Pi's blindness?

When Richard Parker kills the man from the other boat, Pi begins to cry. The crying clears the film from his eyes. Signup and view all the answers

Richard Parker has disposed of most of the human flesh from the other shipwrecked man. What does Pi do with the rest of the flesh?

Pi uses some of it for fish bait, but he also eats small portions of it. Signup and view all the answers

While adrift on the ocean, Pi has encountered all forms of sea life. What does he spy now, floating in the sea?

Pi sees a clump of trees growing in the ocean. Signup and view all the answers

What does the survival manual suggest that someone do when they think they see an island?

The survival manual says a foot is the only good judge of land. Signup and view all the answers

Why is the island such a godsend to Pi?

The island appears to be made out of algae, which is edible, allowing Pi and Richard Parker to eat without getting sick. Signup and view all the answers

Aside from vegetation, what other life forms live on the island?

Pi finds thousands of meerkats living on the island. Signup and view all the answers

How can freshwater ponds exist on an island floating in the ocean?

Pi reasons that the algae filtering the salt water creates freshwater ponds. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Richard Parker continue killing animals on the island even after he is no longer hungry?

Richard Parker has an instinct to hunt and continues to kill to satisfy his urge. Signup and view all the answers

Why is Pi worried about Richard Parker, despite him appearing healthy?

Richard Parker shows signs of wanting to reproduce, which worries Pi about his safety. Signup and view all the answers

How does Pi become attached to the meerkats?

Pi probably becomes attached because he is lonely. Signup and view all the answers

What sinister secret does the tree Pi climbs hide?

What Pi mistakes for fruit is actually growth from the tree, containing a human tooth. Signup and view all the answers

Why do Pi and Richard Parker finally leave the island?

Pi realizes the island is carnivorous and would eventually consume them. Signup and view all the answers

Why do you think the author chose not to break chapter 92 into smaller ones?

Answers will vary, but this chapter seems drawn-out and dreamlike after previous violence. Signup and view all the answers

What might the symbolic significance of the island be?

The island symbolizes the extreme of the idea that humans are not the center of the universe. Signup and view all the answers

How are Pi and Richard Parker saved?

The lifeboat arrived on the shore in Mexico. Signup and view all the answers

What happens the last time Pi ever sees Richard Parker?

Richard Parker jumps out of the boat and runs into the jungle. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Pi start to cry when he finally sees people?

Pi is sad because Richard Parker ran away from him without even looking back. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to 'conclude things properly' according to Pi?

It is only by 'concluding things properly' that one can let go. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Pi say he turned to God after leaving the island?

People naturally turn to God in the depths of despair. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Pi credit Richard Parker with saving his life?

Richard Parker became the reason Pi did not just lie down and die. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Pi refer to the jungle as 'free confinement' for Richard Parker?

Richard Parker is free, but if he ventures out into the villages, humans will surely kill him. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Vocabulary Terms

Abundant: Plentiful; indicates a large quantity of something available.
Amoral: Describes being outside the concepts of right and wrong; morally neutral.
Chimera: Represents an illusion or a fantasy that doesn't exist in reality.
Conjecture: Refers to a guess or hypothesis without firm evidence.
Consternation: A state of concern or dismay, often resulting from an unexpected event.
Copiously: Means abundantly; implies a large amount or number.
Diurnal: Describes being active during the daytime.
Euphoria: A state of extreme happiness or intense excitement.
Laden: Burdened or weighed down by a load or responsibility.
Pliable: Exhibiting flexibility; easily bent or shaped.
Rote: Automatic behavior or actions done without thought; often related to memorization.
Botch: Refers to ruining something due to poor execution or carelessness.

Key Plot Points and Themes

Pi experiences emotional pain from his inability to care for Richard Parker, feeling he has failed as a zookeeper.
Pi reaches rock bottom when he goes blind and accepts his impending death.
Pi converses with a mysterious voice he thinks is Richard Parker, initially believing he's imagining it.
The mystery speaker, a fellow shipwrecked survivor, reveals he killed two people without remorse, viewing it as a necessary survival action.
A French shipwreck victim empathizes with Pi but ultimately attacks him for food; Richard Parker kills the man instead.
To uplift spirits when both men are starving, Pi invents a story about a banana, showcasing the power of storytelling.
Richard Parker's action of killing the other man triggers Pi's tears, alleviating his blindness, suggesting emotional release can lead to recovery.
Pi consumes a portion of the deceased man's flesh for survival, illustrating the extreme measures he must take.
Pi discovers a floating island of algae that feeds both him and Richard Parker, marking a significant shift in their situation.
The island hosts thousands of meerkats, providing sustenance and indicating the ecosystem's complexity.
Freshwater ponds on the island exist due to algae filtering salt water, demonstrating nature's resourcefulness.
Richard Parker continues to hunt despite not being hungry, driven by instinct rather than need, reflecting a predator's nature.
Pi worries about Richard Parker’s instinct to dominate as he shows signs of territory marking and possible aggression against Pi.
The relationship between Pi and Richard Parker transforms from survival companions on the lifeboat to adversaries on the island.
Pi finds comfort in meerkats due to his loneliness, highlighting human needs for connection.
Pi's discovery of human teeth among tree growths reveals the island's sinister nature, contrasting initial perceptions of safety.
Both characters leave the island after Pi realizes it is carnivorous, portraying the theme of survival against deceptive appearances.
The narrative structure allows for a drawn-out, dreamlike quality in chapter 92 as it encapsulates everything related to the island experience.
The island symbolizes a false utopia, illustrating that even seemingly peaceful places can harbor darkness.
Pi and Richard Parker are ultimately saved as they reach the shore of Mexico, marking their physical rescue.
Pi's emotional breakdown occurs as Richard Parker runs into the jungle without looking back, signifying loss.
The importance of "concluding things properly" is emphasized by Pi; it allows for true closure and moving on from experiences.
Pi turns to God in despair, reflecting human tendencies to seek divine support in times of crisis.
Richard Parker is credited for saving Pi's life, as his well-being motivated Pi to strive for survival.
Although Richard Parker is free in the jungle, Pi refers to it as "free confinement," emphasizing the ongoing dangers he faces in the wild.

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Test your knowledge of vocabulary from chapters 90 to 94 of 'Life of Pi' with these flashcards. Each card presents a word along with its definition to help you strengthen your understanding of the text. Engage with these terms to enhance your reading experience.