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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. In the section "June 12 Early Harvests," the author continues felling trees and splitting wood for __________.

2. Giant piles of gravel, steep ridges, and ponds are all evidence of ___________.

3. During his daily_______, the author sees a web of many tiny caterpillars all flashing together in unison from side to side.

4. The author and his son plant a ______ oak near the cabin.

5. The two men catch up on what has been going on in the area, including _____________ protest of a logging operation.

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the author feel about his housemates in "October 7 Housemates"? Why?

2. What takes place in "September 27 Starting a Sugar Shack"?

3. Describe the author's first morning in the cabin. What can be predicted regarding his stay in this cabin based on this information?

4. How is "October 26-30" an important chapter?

5. What does the author learn about living simply in his first two months?

6. What does the author notice in "October 6 Cherry HIll Drive"? Why might this be important?

7. How does "August 9-13 Some Berries" lead to a reflection of the author's childhood?

8. What do the author and his son do together in "Early September"? What does this reveal about them?

9. Describe "October 1 The Foliage." How is "October 1 The Foliage" an important chapter?

10. What takes place in "August 14 Whispers of Fall"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Stuart, the author's son, visits him several times at the cabin.

Part 1) Describe their visits together. What do these visits reveal about each of them? What do they reveal about their relationship? Do you believe the author spends enough time with his son? Is this a healthy relationship between a parent and a child? Why or why not?

Part 2) How would you feel if your parents divorced and one of them left to live in another state? How might this affect you and your relationship with your parents?

Part 3) What are your thoughts on divorce and the actions of parents regarding their children? Can children of divorce lead healthy lives? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

The author goes for many runs.

Part 1) Describe these runs. Why does the author choose to go on these runs? Why are they important to him? What do they reveal about him?

Part 2) How are his runs tied to other events in this book? What else is important to the author while he is living in the cabin? Why?

Part 3) What activities do you participate in? Why? What do they reveal about you? How are they important to you and your life?

Essay Topic 3

The author observes the seeds blowing off of a maple tree.

Part 1) Describe this observation. How is he affected by this observation? How does this affect his view of mankind?

Part 2) What other observations encourage him to contemplate other aspects of human life? Explain.

Part 3) What has happened in your own life that has made you take notice of the quality of human life and mankind's abilities? How has this affected you? How does it compare to the author's observations and revelations about mankind?

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