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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. According to Gary, what is the race primarily about?

2. What does Gary notice in the picture of a dog team training for the Iditarod?

3. What does Ruth say to Gary right before he starts his dog run with the bike?

4. How long does Gary spend in the back of the truck with the dogs when he brings them home from Canada?

5. What does Ruth say to Gary when she brings him soup in "Beginnings"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the moose encounter at The Burn.

2. How do the dogs show their desire to run in the first snow of the season?

3. What happens as Gary and his team are leaving Ophir?

4. Why is Gary horrified when he first views Dalzell Gorge?

5. Describe the incident in "Major Wrecks" when Gary and his team encounter the skunks.

6. Why is "Dogs from Hell" a good title for this chapter?

7. In the first chapter, what amazes Gary about Marge and the grouse?

8. Why is Gary in a doctor's office at the end of the book?

9. What is the challenge of running from Koyuk to Nome?

10. Why does Gary think that it's almost impossible to "see wild thinking?"

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the sacrifices made for the race by Gary, the dogs, Ruth, and Gary's son. Do you think they would say the sacrifices were worth it?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss how Gary conveys his ignorance in "Beginnings", "Dogs from Hell", "Major Wrecks", "Pre-Race", and during the race. Why do you think he shares his ignorance with the reader?

Essay Topic 3

Why do you think the author chooses to begin the book with a foreshadowing incident? Give at least three possible reasons and fully support each.

(see the answer keys)

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