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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why is Ruth crying when Gary and the team leave Knik?
(a) She is very tired.
(b) She wants to run in the race, too.
(c) She heard that the trail was very dangerous.
(d) She wants to go home.

2. What is something Gary does NOT ask at the pre-race rookie meeting?
(a) "Why is the Burn so dangerous?"
(b) "If you can't see then how do you watch for them?"
(c) "What are suckholes?"
(d) "What's the Burn?"

3. Why does Gary carry a gun?
(a) To shoot feral dogs.
(b) To protect himself against other mushers.
(c) To protect himself from his dogs.
(d) To hunt.

4. Where are the dogs when Gary sleeps in the Prelude?
(a) On top of Gary.
(b) Attached to the sled.
(c) Blown down the mountain.
(d) Around the fire.

5. Why doesn't Gary feel pain when the snow hook pierces his boot?
(a) The point was dull.
(b) The point didn't go in very deep.
(c) The snow hook was pulled right back out.
(d) The point landed between two of his toes.

6. What does Gary NOT do when he reaches the Finger Lake checkpoint?
(a) Mend harnesses.
(b) Rub the dogs' shoulders.
(c) Check the dogs' toes.
(d) Sleep.

7. How often does Gary harness his "problem" dogs?
(a) Once a day.
(b) Once a week.
(c) Every two days.
(d) Every four days.

8. How many dogs does Gary take to Alaska?
(a) Twenty.
(b) Twelve.
(c) Seven.
(d) Fifteen.

9. In the Prelude Gary writes, "The difficulty came because of ____________."
(a) The "problem" dogs.
(b) The snow.
(c) A headache.
(d) The terrain.

10. What does Gary say he had when he started training for his first Iditarod?
(a) Insomnia.
(b) Money.
(c) Ignorance.
(d) Help.

11. How often should a dog's feet be examined while running the Iditarod?
(a) In the morning and in the evening.
(b) At the end of every day.
(c) Three times a day.
(d) Every half hour.

12. What does Ruth say to Gary when she brings him soup in "Beginnings"?
(a) "You should get some rest."
(b) "You need to start earning some money."
(c) "You're going to run the race, aren't you?"
(d) "You should think about giving up on the race."

13. After Devil falls in "First Snow", why isn't he run over by the sled?
(a) The sled swerved away from Devil.
(b) The sled stopped just in time.
(c) Murphy pulled Devil up by his harness.
(d) Devil rolled out of the way.

14. What happens to Gary's food at Finger Lake?
(a) It is stolen.
(b) It is rotten and must be thrown away.
(c) He gives it to his dogs.
(d) It mixes with the dogs' food.

15. What happens during Gary's second night in the kennel?
(a) Devil sleeps on top of Gary.
(b) Gary decides he won't use a sleeping bag.
(c) Devil wags his tail at Gary.
(d) Devil destroys Gary's sleeping bag.

Short Answer Questions

1. About how long does Gary and his team stop at the Finger Lake checkpoint?

2. In the Prelude, what does Gary notice that finally triggers his "survival code?"

3. When do Gary and the dogs arrive in Alaska?

4. What becomes Gary's mantra?

5. During race training, how long does Marge stay with Gary and his team?

(see the answer keys)

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