View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What mountain range must the team cross?

2. How does Gary describe the experience of sledding the Iditarod in day three?

3. What does Gary do to get the moose to move?

4. What was strange about the light that Paulsen saw?

5. At what point is there a mandatory twenty-four hour layover?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does it feel, on day three, for Gary running the dogs?

2. Why did the stump glow, did Paulsen find out later?

3. Why is Gary unworried about the rumors he hears on the mandatory twenty-four hour layover?

4. What things didn't make sense about where the deer was?

5. What did the 'person' who arrived to help Paulsen look like?

6. What strange activity did the cedar waxwings engage in?

7. What are the hills dotted with that Gary sees on day nine?

8. On day thirteen, what does Paulsen begin to see everywhere?

9. How were the dogs strange with Gary?

10. What does Gary say the dogs told him while they were in the gully?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Several times, Paulsen discusses an ancient connection with another part of humanity while he is running the dogs. Discuss whether or not this is a valid consideration and thought process, through the argument that human beings have further instincts as ingrained as the fight or flight instinct.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Paulsen's lessons of mercy throughout the novel. How might this have changed his attitude in regards to the dogs, and in regards to other people? Suggest an explanation for this utilizing quotes from the book.

Essay Topic 3

The does play an interesting role, and often show up to illustrate something strange. Discuss the roles of the does in the book, and what literary device they may represent for their appearance in his novel.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 926 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample