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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 is the heritage of the Canadians?

2. What is Steinbeck's purpose for taking the trip?

3. What is the tone of this book?

4. What material is everything in the motel made of, with the exception of the bedding and curtains?

5. What has Steinbeck become over the years?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Steinbeck's 13-year-old neighbor boy symbolize?

2. What does Steinbeck think about the personality of each journey?

3. What is ironic about Steinbeck being an American writer?

4. Explain the irony in the scene in which Steinbeck discusses politics with the egg farmer.

5. What is Steinbeck's explanation for the junk yards and garbage dumps surrounding the small towns and villages through which he passes?

6. What misgivings does Steinbeck experience as the day of his departure approaches?

7. Describe Charley.

8. What happens to disrupt the launch of Steinbeck's trip?

9. What does Steinbeck share with the adults in the Canadian family as a gesture of good will?

10. What is John Steinbeck's view on the journey he is about to take?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why do Steinbeck's friends caution him about being a celebrity on the road? Why is Steinbeck's answer so very "Steinbeck"? Explain the differences between being a celebrity today as opposed to 1960 when Steinbeck made this trip.

Essay Topic 2

Explain some of the examples of regionalism found in the book. Can regionalism include more than accents and food? What else encompasses the culture and personality of a region? What are the major differences Steinbeck finds as he travels from place to place?

Essay Topic 3

Explain Steinbeck's interest in writer, Sinclair Lewis. What are Steinbeck's feelings about the people in Lewis' hometown who rejected him for writing the book Main Street, but now elevate his prior citizenship after Lewis is dead? Can you tell Steinbeck's feelings about hypocrisy? Could that be part of the reason Steinbeck does not stop to see Lewis' birthplace even though he is close? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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